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.

Forms

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

Common 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

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 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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