序盤(じょばん)

じょばん
noun
opening phase, early stage
time-general
1. opening phase, early stage, beginning
The initial phase of a game, competition, event, or process. Originally a term from board games (especially go and shogi), now widely used for any activity with distinct phases.
試合(しあい)は序盤(じょばん)から動(うご)いた。
The match got moving from the opening phase.
序盤(じょばん)でリードを奪(うば)うことが大事(だいじ)だ。
It's important to take the lead in the early stages.
この映画(えいが)は序盤(じょばん)が少(すこ)し退屈(たいくつ)だが、中盤(ちゅうばん)から一気(いっき)に面白(おもしろ)くなる。
This movie is a bit boring at the start, but it gets interesting all at once from the middle part.

Usage

Part of a set of three: 序盤(じょばん) (opening), 中盤(ちゅうばん) (middle), 終盤(しゅうばん) (endgame/final phase). Originally from board game terminology but now used for sports, movies, projects, seasons, and any process with stages.

Common collocations

Related Words

Related: 中盤(ちゅうばん) (middle phase)
Related: 終盤(しゅうばん) (final phase)
Compare: 前半(ぜんはん) (first half)
general
Added 2026.2.21 15:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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