暗度陈仓
暗度陈仓 (àn dù chén cāng) literally means “secretly cross chencang” and expresses “achieve secretly through misdirection”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: an du chen cang, an du chen cang,暗度陈仓 meaning, 暗度陈仓 in english
Achieve secretly through misdirection
Pronunciation: àn dù chén cāng
Literal meaning: Secretly cross Chencang
Origin & Usage
This strategic idiom refers to secretly (暗) crossing/passing (度) through Chencang (陈仓), originating from Han Xin's famous military maneuver during the Chu-Han contention (206-202 BCE). Historical records describe how Han Xin pretended to repair roads in one location while secretly moving troops through Chencang, enabling a surprise attack. The city name itself became synonymous with strategic misdirection through this incident. During the Tang Dynasty, it evolved beyond military contexts to describe any successful deception through distraction. Modern usage describes achieving objectives through misdirection rather than confrontation, particularly in business competition or negotiation strategies, where creating false impressions about one's intentions provides tactical advantage.
Examples
English: "The company quietly developed the technology while competitors focused elsewhere"
Chinese: 当竞争对手将注意力集中在其他地方时，该公司悄悄地开发了这项技术
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 暗度陈仓 mean in English?
暗度陈仓 (àn dù chén cāng) literally translates to “Secretly cross Chencang” and is used to express “Achieve secretly through misdirection”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 暗度陈仓 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving achieve secretly through misdirection.
What is the pinyin for 暗度陈仓?
The pinyin pronunciation for 暗度陈仓 is “àn dù chén cāng”.