作戦

• Reading: さくせん
• Romaji: sakusen
• Kanji breakdown: 作 (saku/tsuku) — make, create; 戦 (sen/ikusa) — battle, war
• Pronunciation: /sa.kɯ.se.ɴ/

Meaning

Tactics; strategy; a plan of action for achieving a goal.

Originally a military term meaning battle strategy or operation, now widely used in everyday life, sports, business, and games. Common expressions include 作戦を立てる (to devise a strategy) and 作戦を練る (to formulate tactics). Can be used for both serious and lighthearted planning.

Examples

1. チームで作戦を立ててから試合に臨んだ。 The team came up with a strategy before taking on the game.
2. 彼の作戦がうまくいって大逆転を果たした。 His strategy worked and they pulled off a huge comeback.
3. 営業部は売上を伸ばすための作戦を練っている。 The sales team is working out a strategy to boost revenue.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, business, games

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 作 (saku, to make/create) + 戦 (sen, battle/war). Literally 'making battle,' reflecting its military origins. Now broadly applied to any planned approach.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal