補欠選手

• Reading: ほけつせんしゅ
• Romaji: hoketsu senshu
• Kanji breakdown: 補 (ho) — supplement; 欠 (ketsu) — vacancy, lack; 選 (sen) — select; 手 (shu) — person, player
• Pronunciation: /ho.ke.tsɯ.seɴ.ɕɯ/

Meaning

Substitute player; reserve player; a backup who fills in when a regular team member cannot play.

A compound noun combining 補欠 (substitute/reserve) with 選手 (player/athlete). Used in sports for bench players who replace starters. 補欠 alone can also refer to a reserve position in non-sports contexts (e.g. 補欠合格, being accepted off a waiting list). The short form 補欠 is often used when the sports context is clear.

Examples

1. 彼は三年間ずっと補欠選手だったが最後の試合に出場した。 He was a substitute player for three years, but got to play in the final game.
2. 補欠選手もチームの一員として大切な役割がある。 Substitute players also play an important role as members of the team.
3. けが人が出たので補欠選手が急きょ投入された。 Because of an injury, a substitute player was brought in on short notice.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, team activities, school clubs

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 補 (ho, to supplement) + 欠 (ketsu, vacancy/lack) + 選 (sen, select) + 手 (shu, person/player). Literally 'a selected person who fills a vacancy,' describing a reserve who steps in when needed.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal