1.
strategic opening moves (in go)
In the board game go (囲碁), the opening phase where stones are placed across the board to establish a strategic framework for the rest of the game.
布石を打つのが上手な棋士だ。
He is a go player skilled at opening moves.
布石の段階で差がついた。
The gap opened up during the opening phase.
それはあの布石のおかげだ。
That is thanks to the groundwork laid earlier.
2.
preparatory step; groundwork; strategic move
By extension from the go term, an action taken in advance to prepare for future goals or events. Implies careful, forward-thinking planning.
将来のための布石を打つ。
To lay the groundwork for the future.
この人事異動は社長交代への布石だろう。
This personnel change is probably laying the groundwork for a change of president.
若いうちから老後への布石を打っておくべきだ。
You should lay the groundwork for retirement while you are still young.
USAGE:
The figurative sense (sense 2) is more common in everyday speech. The key collocation is 布石を打つ (to lay groundwork, literally "to place a preparatory stone"), which retains the go metaphor.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 布石を打つ (to lay groundwork)
- 将来への布石 (groundwork for the future)
- 布石となる (to serve as groundwork)
ETYMOLOGY:
From the game of 囲碁 (go), where 布石 refers to the opening moves that establish strategic positions across the board. The metaphor of careful advance preparation transferred to general usage.