伏兵(ふくへい)

ふくへい
noun
ambush; hidden troops; dark horse
military
1. ambush; hidden troops; soldiers lying in wait
Soldiers concealed in a strategic position to launch a surprise attack. A military tactic.
森(もり)の中(なか)に伏兵(ふくへい)を置(お)く。
To place an ambush in the forest.
敵(てき)の伏兵(ふくへい)に襲(おそ)われた。
We were attacked by enemy troops in ambush.
伏兵(ふくへい)が待(ま)ち伏(ぶ)せしていることに気(き)づかなかった。
We didn't realize that hidden troops were lying in ambush.
2. dark horse; unexpected rival; hidden threat
An unexpected competitor, obstacle, or difficulty that catches someone off guard. Used figuratively in sports, business, and everyday situations.
思(おも)わぬ伏兵(ふくへい)が現(あらわ)れた。
An unexpected rival appeared.
無名(むめい)のチームが伏兵(ふくへい)として優勝(ゆうしょう)した。
An unknown team won as the dark horse.
試験(しけん)の最後(さいご)の問題(もんだい)が伏兵(ふくへい)だった。
The last question on the exam was an unexpected challenge.

Originally a military term for soldiers hidden in ambush, now more commonly used figuratively to describe an unexpected threat, rival, or challenge that catches someone off guard.

Common collocations

Usage

The figurative sense (sense 2) is more common in modern Japanese. Often used in sports commentary to describe an underdog or unexpected contender, or in everyday conversation to describe a hidden difficulty or surprise obstacle.

Etymology

伏(ふく) (lie face down, hide) + 兵(へい) (soldier) — soldiers who lie hidden.

Related Words

Compare: 待(ま)ち伏(ぶ)せ (ambush)
general
Added 2026.4.1 2:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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