Japanese word

先発

Pronunciation

Romajisenpatsu

Meaning

  • nounstarter

Example

今日の試合は佐藤さんが先発です。kyō no shi ai wa sa tō sa n ga sen patsu de su

Sato is the starter in today's game.

Illustration for 先発 (starter)

More examples

監督は試合前に先発を発表しました。kan toku wa shi ai mae ni sen patsu o hap pyō shi ma shi ta

The coach announced the starter before the game.

Core concept

Names the player chosen to begin a game rather than enter as a substitute.

Common phrases

  • 先発投手sen patsu tō shu

    starting pitcher

  • 先発メンバーsen patsu me n bā

    starting lineup

  • 先発を務めるsen patsu o tsuto me ru

    serve as a starter

Similar words

スタメンsutamen: A casual shortened term for a player in the starting lineup.

Definition in Japanese

チームの中で、試合の最初から出場する選手。chī mu no naka de shi ai no sai sho ka ra shutsu jō su ru sen shu

Word origin

先発 (senpatsu) is made from 先 (sen, "ahead") and 発 (patsu, "departure"), describing someone who goes out before the others.

Usage tips

  • In team sports, 先発 (senpatsu) can describe any player in the starting lineup, not only a baseball pitcher.

Other meanings

  • first to gonoun

Opposites

  • 控えhikaereservenoun

Related words

  • 先発するsenpatsusurustartverb

Word lists with this word