奥手

おくて
Alternative writings: 晩生, 晩稲, 晩熟
Frequency:
1

A rice variety that grows and ripens late (late-maturing rice).

Noun

Examples

去年植えた品種は奥手で、例年より収穫が遅れた。

The variety we planted last year is late-maturing, so the harvest was later than usual.

奥手の稲は晩霜の被害を受けにくいことがある。

Late-maturing rice varieties are sometimes less affected by late frost.

2

Crops or flowers that ripen or bloom late; late-blooming plants.

Noun

Examples

この秋植えた花は奥手で、他の花より2週間遅れて咲いた。

The flowers planted this autumn are late-blooming; they bloomed two weeks later than the others.

奥手の品種は観賞期間がずれるので、庭のバランスを考えて植えるとよい。

Because late-blooming varieties bloom at different times, it's good to plant them with garden balance in mind.

3

A person who develops late (e.g., reaches puberty late) or a 'late bloomer'; someone slow to mature socially or romantically.

Noun

Examples

彼は学生時代は奥手だったが、社会人になってから自信がついた。

He was shy/late to develop in school, but he gained confidence after becoming a working adult.

恋愛に奥手な人は、告白するまでに時間がかかることが多い。

People who are inexperienced or slow in romance often take time before confessing their feelings.

年を取ってから才能を開花させる『遅咲き』も、奥手の一種と言える。

Someone who blooms later in life can also be considered a type of late-developer.

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