锦囊妙计
锦囊妙计 (jǐn náng miào jì) literally means “silk pouch ingenious plan” and expresses “prepared clever strategy”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: jin nang miao ji, jin nang miao ji,锦囊妙计 meaning, 锦囊妙计 in english
Prepared clever strategy
Pronunciation: jǐn náng miào jì Literal meaning: Silk pouch ingenious plan
Origin & Usage
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang sends Zhao Yun to escort Liu Bei into enemy territory with three brocade pouches (锦囊), each holding a plan (妙计) and instructions on exactly when to open it. Each is opened at the appointed crisis and each works. The phrase describes a solution prepared in advance for a problem that has not yet arrived, and the tone is light — offering somebody your 锦囊妙计 is offering a trick you have been saving.
Examples
English: "The strategist presented a brilliant plan that turned the tide of the battle."
Chinese: 这位战略家提出了一个巧妙的计划，扭转了战局。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
将计就计
jiāng jì jiù jì
Turn the enemy's own plot against him
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唱空城计
chàng kōng chéng jì
Use bold confidence to mask vulnerability
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空城计
kōng chéng jì
Strategic bluff
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苦肉计
kǔ ròu jì
Self-sacrifice strategy
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连环计
lián huán jì
Complex strategic plan
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囊萤映雪
náng yíng yìng xuě
Study despite hardship
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混水摸鱼
hún shuǐ mō yú
Exploit chaos
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火中取栗
huǒ zhōng qǔ lì
Used by others
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 锦囊妙计 mean in English?
锦囊妙计 (jǐn náng miào jì) literally translates to “Silk pouch ingenious plan” and is used to express “Prepared clever strategy”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 锦囊妙计 used?
Situation: The strategist presented a brilliant plan that turned the tide of the battle.
What is the pinyin for 锦囊妙计?
The pinyin pronunciation for 锦囊妙计 is “jǐn náng miào jì”.
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