Translation guide
A military attack made in response to an enemy's attack, aiming to regain lost ground or seize the initiative.
A large-scale military operation to push back an enemy offensive.
The most direct and common term for a counteroffensive in military contexts. Implies a strategic shift from defense to attack.
反攻 (はんこう) is the standard term for a planned, large-scale counteroffensive. 逆襲 (ぎゃくしゅう) emphasizes a reversal of fortunes and can be used metaphorically. 反撃 (はんげき) is a more general counterattack, often immediate or smaller in scale.
The army prepared for a counteroffensive.
連合軍は大規模な反攻を開始した。
The Allied forces launched a large-scale counteroffensive.
A counterattack, often with a nuance of turning the tables. Can be used in both military and metaphorical contexts.
We strengthened the defensive line in preparation for the enemy's counteroffensive.
A counterattack or counter-strike. More general than 反攻, can be used for smaller-scale or immediate responses.
The unit launched a counteroffensive at dawn.
A formal military term meaning 'seizing the offensive' or 'transition to the offensive'. Used in strategic analysis.
This battle became a good opportunity for a counteroffensive.