布石

• Reading: ふせき
• Romaji: fuseki
• Kanji breakdown: 布 (fu) — spread, distribute; 石 (seki) — stone
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.se.ki/

Meaning

Groundwork; preparatory move; strategic arrangement of stones in the opening of a go game.

Originally a go (囲碁) term for the strategic placement of stones in the early phase of a game. Now widely used figuratively to mean laying the groundwork or making strategic preparations for future success. The expression 布石を打つ (to lay the groundwork) is extremely common in business, politics, and everyday speech.

Examples

1. 社長は海外進出のための布石を着々と打っている。 The president is steadily laying the groundwork for the company's overseas expansion.
2. あの発言は次の交渉に向けた布石だったのだろう。 That statement was probably groundwork laid for the next round of negotiations.
3. 若いうちから将来のキャリアに布石を打っておくべきだ。 You should start laying the groundwork for your future career while you're young.

Usage Guide

Context: strategy, business, politics, go

Tone: strategic

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 布 (fu, to spread/distribute) + 石 (seki, stone). Literally 'to distribute stones,' referring to the strategic scattering of go stones across the board in the opening phase of a game.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated