Japanese word

局面

Pronunciation

Romajikyokumen

Meaning

  • nounphase

Example

話は大事な局面に入りました。hanashi wa dai ji na kyoku men ni hai ri ma shi ta

The matter has entered an important phase.

Illustration for 局面 (phase)

More examples

交渉は予想外の局面を迎えました。kō shō wa yo sō gai no kyoku men o muka e ma shi ta

The negotiations have entered an unexpected phase.

Core concept

Shows an unfolding matter at a particular stage, including the conditions that give that stage its character.

Common phrases

  • 局面が変わるkyoku men ga ka wa ru

    the situation changes

  • 局面を迎えるkyoku men o muka e ru

    reach a new phase

  • 局面に入るkyoku men ni hai ru

    enter a phase

  • 局面を打開するkyoku men o da kai su ru

    overcome a difficult situation

Similar words

段階dankai: A stage in a process that shows how far it has developed.
状況jōkyō: The overall state of a matter and the conditions affecting it.
場面bamen: A part of an event viewed as it unfolds.

Definition in Japanese

物事の進行に伴って現れる段階や、その段階における情勢。mono goto no shin kō ni tomona tte arawa re ru dan kai ya so no dan kai ni o ke ru jō sei

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 局面 (kyokumen) joins 局 (kyoku, "section") with 面 (men, "surface" or "aspect"), giving the sense of a distinct part of a developing matter.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese chess writing, 局面 (kyokumen) describes the position on the board at a particular point in the game.

Other meanings

  • situationnoun
  • positionnoun

Word lists with this word