後手(ごて)

ごて
noun
reactive position, falling behind
1. reactive position, being on the defensive, falling behind
A disadvantageous position where one is forced to respond to the other party's actions rather than taking the initiative.
後手(ごて)に回(まわ)ってしまった。
We ended up on the defensive.
対応(たいおう)が後手(ごて)に回(まわ)ると被害(ひがい)が大(おお)きくなる。
If the response falls behind, the damage grows.
政府(せいふ)の対策(たいさく)は常(つね)に後手(ごて)に回(まわ)っていると批判(ひはん)されている。
The government is criticized for always being behind in its response.
2. second player, white (in shogi/go)
The player who makes the second move in board games such as shogi or go.
後手(ごて)で指(さ)す。
To play as the second player.
後手(ごて)でも勝(か)てる戦略(せんりゃく)を考(かんが)えた。
I came up with a strategy to win even as the second player.
プロの対局(たいきょく)では後手(ごて)の勝率(しょうりつ)はやや低(ひく)い。
In professional matches, the second player's win rate is slightly lower.

Writing

後(ご) (after/behind) + 手(て) (hand/move). Literally "later hand."

Usage

The most common pattern is 後手(ごて)に回(まわ)る (to fall into a reactive position). This is widely used in news reporting about government responses, business strategy, and competitive situations.

Common collocations

  • 後手(ごて)に回(まわ)る: to fall behind, to be reactive
  • 後手(ごて)の対応(たいおう): a behind-the-curve response
  • 後手(ごて)後手(ごて): one step behind after another (emphatic repetition)

Related Words

Antonym: 先手(せんて) (initiative)
general
Added 2026.2.8 13:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
10500/10557_gote