変化球(へんかきゅう)

へんかきゅう
noun
breaking ball; curveball
leisure
1. breaking ball; curveball; off-speed pitch
In baseball, any pitch that curves or changes direction, as opposed to a straight fastball. Includes curveballs, sliders, and changeups.
変化球(へんかきゅう)で三振(さんしん)を取(と)った。
He struck the batter out with a breaking ball.
あの投手(とうしゅ)は変化球(へんかきゅう)の種類(しゅるい)が豊富(ほうふ)だ。
That pitcher has a rich variety of breaking balls.
速球(そっきゅう)と変化球(へんかきゅう)を上手(じょうず)に組(く)み合(あ)わせるのが大事(だいじ)だ。
It's important to skillfully combine fastballs and breaking balls.
2. curveball; unexpected twist; indirect approach
Used figuratively for an unexpected or indirect approach, a surprising twist, or something that deviates from the straightforward.
変化球(へんかきゅう)な質問(しつもん)が来(き)た。
An unexpected curveball question came.
直球(ちょっきゅう)ではなく変化球(へんかきゅう)で攻(せ)めてみよう。
Let's try an indirect approach instead of being straightforward.
あの監督(かんとく)の映画(えいが)はいつも変化球(へんかきゅう)で、予想(よそう)を裏切(うらぎ)ってくる。
That director's films always throw curveballs and defy expectations.

Usage

Originally a baseball term, now widely used figuratively. The figurative sense parallels the English "curveball" — something unexpected or indirect. Contrasts with 直球(ちょっきゅう) (fastball; straightforward approach).

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Antonym: 直球(ちょっきゅう) (fastball; straightforward)
Compare: カーブ (curve)
Related: 豪速球(ごうそっきゅう) (blazing fastball)
general
Added 2026.3.17 17:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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