禁(きん)じ手(て)

きんじて
noun
prohibited move; forbidden tactic
sports
1. prohibited move; forbidden tactic; banned technique
A move or technique that the rules forbid, originally in sumo and board games. By extension, any tactic that is off-limits because it is unfair or against the spirit of a contest.
それは禁(きん)じ手(て)だ。
That's a forbidden move.
相撲(すもう)では目(め)つぶしなどが禁(きん)じ手(て)とされている。
In sumo, moves like eye-gouging are treated as prohibited techniques.
値下(ねさ)げ競争(きょうそう)は、業界(ぎょうかい)では禁(きん)じ手(て)に近(ちか)いと言(い)われる。
A price war is said to be almost a forbidden tactic within the industry.

Originates in sumo and traditional games, where certain techniques are formally banned. Now widely used figuratively for a tactic one should not resort to, even if not strictly against written rules.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 反則(はんそく): foul — an actual rule violation and its penalty
  • 奥(おく)の手(て): last resort; trump card — a hidden tactic saved for a crucial moment (not necessarily forbidden)

Related Words

Compare: 反則(はんそく) (foul)
general
Added 2026.7.20 3:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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