序盤

• Reading: じょばん
• Romaji: joban
• Kanji breakdown: 序 (jo) — preface, beginning; 盤 (ban) — board, plate
• Pronunciation: /dʑo.baɴ/

Meaning

Opening; opening stage. The initial phase of a game, story, or process.

A noun originally from board games (go, shogi, chess) referring to the opening phase. Now widely used for the early stage of any process, story, or competition: 序盤の展開 (joban no tenkai, early developments), 序盤戦 (joban-sen, opening battle). Part of a set with 中盤 (chuuban, middle stage) and 終盤 (shuuban, endgame).

Examples

1. 試合は序盤から激しい攻防が続いた。 The game featured intense back-and-forth action from the opening stage.
2. ゲームの序盤は簡単なステージが多い。 The early stages of the game have a lot of easy levels.
3. 交渉の序盤で重要な条件を確認した。 We confirmed the key terms in the opening stage of negotiations.

Usage Guide

Context: games, sports, business strategy

Tone: analytical

Origin & History

Compound of 序 (jo, preface/beginning) and 盤 (ban, board/game board). Originally described the opening moves on a game board, then extended to any opening phase.

Cultural Context

Era: Pre-modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal