Japanese word

攻勢

Pronunciation

Romajikōsei

Meaning

  • nounoffensive

Example

チームは後半に攻勢に出ます。chī mu wa kō han ni kō sei ni de ma su

The team goes on the offensive in the second half.

Illustration for 攻勢 (offensive)

More examples

相手のミスを見逃さず、攻勢を強めます。ai te no mi su o mi noga sa zu kō sei o tsuyo me ma su

The team capitalizes on the opponent's mistakes and steps up its offensive.

Core concept

Describes a forceful shift from waiting or defending to actively pressing an opponent.

Common phrases

  • 攻勢に転じるkō sei ni ten ji ru

    go on the offensive

  • 攻勢をかけるkō sei o ka ke ru

    launch an offensive

  • 攻勢を強めるkō sei o tsuyo me ru

    step up the offensive

  • 攻勢に出るkō sei ni de ru

    take the offensive

Similar words

攻撃kōgeki: An act of directly trying to overcome an opponent.
攻めseme: An attacking approach that puts pressure on an opponent.
猛攻mōkō: A fierce and sustained attack against an opponent.

Definition in Japanese

相手に対して積極的に攻めかかる勢い。また、攻撃を優位に進める形勢。ai te ni tai shi te sek kyoku teki ni se me ka ka ru ikio i ma ta kō geki o yū i ni susu me ru kei sei

Word origin

攻勢 (kōsei) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 攻 (kō, "attack") and 勢 (sei, "force"), forming the sense of an attacking force or momentum.

Usage tips

  • In sports reporting, 攻勢 (kōsei) often appears in the set phrase 攻勢に出る (kōsei ni deru), which matches "go on the offensive" rather than simply "attack."

Other meanings

  • aggressionnoun

Opposites

  • 守勢shuseidefensive posturenoun

Word lists with this word