伏線(ふくせん)

ふくせん
noun
foreshadowing
1. foreshadowing, setup, groundwork
A hint or clue planted early in a story, plan, or course of events that becomes significant later. Also used figuratively for preparations laid in advance.
伏線(ふくせん)を張(は)る。
To lay foreshadowing.
第(だい)１話(わ)の伏線(ふくせん)が最終回(さいしゅうかい)で回収(かいしゅう)された。
The foreshadowing from episode one was resolved in the final episode.
この小説(しょうせつ)は伏線(ふくせん)の張(は)り方(かた)が巧(うま)くて、読者(どくしゃ)を驚(おどろ)かせる。
This novel uses foreshadowing skillfully, surprising its readers.

WORD FORMATION:
伏(ふく) (lie hidden) + 線(せん) (line) = a hidden line (running beneath the surface).

KEY PATTERNS:

  • 伏線(ふくせん)を張(は)る: to lay foreshadowing, to set up a plot thread
  • 伏線(ふくせん)を回収(かいしゅう)する: to resolve/pay off foreshadowing

These two expressions are the most essential collocations. 伏線(ふくせん)回収(かいしゅう) (resolving foreshadowing) has become a popular term among fans of manga, anime, and novels.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 伏線(ふくせん)を張(は)る: to plant foreshadowing
  • 伏線(ふくせん)を回収(かいしゅう)する: to pay off the setup
  • 伏線(ふくせん)回収(かいしゅう)が見事(みごと): the payoff is brilliant
  • 巧(たく)みな伏線(ふくせん): skillful foreshadowing

USAGE NOTE:
Originally a literary and film criticism term, 伏線(ふくせん) is now widely used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing entertainment media. It can also be used figuratively: 交渉(こうしょう)の伏線(ふくせん)を張(は)る (to lay the groundwork for negotiations).

general
Added 2026.2.11 18:22
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