Japanese word

形勢

Pronunciation

Romajikeisei

Meaning

  • nounsituation

Example

試合の形勢が変わりました。shi ai no kei sei ga ka wa ri ma shi ta

The situation in the game changed.

Illustration for 形勢 (situation)

More examples

監督は形勢を見ながら、選手を交代させました。kan toku wa kei sei o mi na ga ra sen shu o kō tai sa se ma shi ta

The coach made substitutions while watching how the game was unfolding.

Core concept

Describes how circumstances are unfolding, especially which side has the advantage.

Common phrases

  • 形勢を読むkei sei o yo mu

    read the situation

  • 形勢が傾くkei sei ga katamu ku

    the balance shifts

  • 形勢逆転kei sei gyaku ten

    reversal of the situation

Similar words

情勢jōsei: The general state of affairs in a society, field, or situation, including its changing direction.
局面kyokumen: A particular stage or aspect of a developing situation.

Definition in Japanese

物事の成り行き、特に優勢か劣勢かのありさま。mono goto no na ri yu ki toku ni yū sei ka res sei ka no a ri sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound combines 形 (kei, "form") and 勢 (sei, "force"), expressing the form or balance that circumstances take.

Usage tips

  • In sports and news reports, 形勢 (keisei) can change before the final result, so it describes an unsettled balance of advantage rather than a fixed outcome.

Other meanings

  • prospectsnoun

Word lists with this word