noun
losing the initiative; being forestalled; being on the back foot
Describes a situation where one is forced to react rather than act, often contrasted with 先手 (せんて). Common in competitive, business, and strategic contexts.
See also: 先手 (せんて)
交渉で後手に回ってしまった。
We ended up on the back foot in the negotiations.
常に後手に回る戦略では勝てない。
You can't win with a strategy that always lets the opponent take the initiative.
noun
moving second; person with the second move
Used in turn-based games or competitions to refer to the player or side that moves after the opponent. Often contrasted with 先手.
将棋では後手が不利と言われる。
In shogi, the player moving second is said to be at a disadvantage.
noun
gote; move that does not require an immediate response
Technical term in go and shogi for a move that does not demand an immediate reply, often contrasted with 先手 (sente).
See also: 先手 (せんて)
この手は後手なので、相手は別の場所に打つことができる。
This move is gote, so the opponent can play elsewhere.
noun
Rare, historical military term for troops positioned at the rear. Modern usage is mostly limited to historical descriptions or set phrases.
See also: 後詰め
戦国時代の合戦では、後手が本陣を守った。
In battles of the Warring States period, the rear guard protected the main camp.
Antonym for senses 1–3. 先手 means taking the initiative, moving first, or a move that forces a response (sente).
Compound of 後 (go, 'after, behind') and 手 (te, 'hand, move'). The core meaning is 'the hand that comes after' or 'the later move', extended to losing initiative and military rear guard.