空城计
空城计 (kōng chéng jì) literally means “empty city strategy” and expresses “strategic bluff”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
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Strategic bluff
Pronunciation: kōng chéng jì Literal meaning: Empty city strategy
Origin & Usage
The idiom 空城计 (kōng chéng jì) originates from the classic Chinese novel 《三国演义》 (Romance of the Three Kingdoms) by 罗贯中 (Luo Guanzhong). The story takes place during the Three Kingdoms period, specifically in 228 CE. The brilliant strategist 诸葛亮 (Zhuge Liang) found himself in a precarious situation when the formidable Wei general 司马懿 (Sima Yi) advanced with a large army towards the city he was defending. With limited troops (only 2500 soldiers), Zhuge Liang devised a daring plan: he ordered the city gates to be opened and instructed his men to disguise themselves as civilians cleaning the streets. Meanwhile, he sat atop the city wall, calmly playing the zither (琴, qín). This unexpected display of confidence led Sima Yi to suspect an ambush, prompting him to retreat. The idiom 空城计 (空, empty; 城, city; 计, strategy) symbolizes a strategic bluff, using psychological tactics to deter an opponent. In modern usage, it refers to disguising one's weaknesses to mislead others.
Examples
English: "In a moment of crisis, he employed the empty city strategy, bluffing his way through the negotiations."
Chinese: 在危机时刻，他施展了空城计，成功地通过谈判。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
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步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
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退避三舍
tuì bì sān shè
Make concessions to avoid conflict
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旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
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暗度陈仓
àn dù chén cāng
Achieve secretly through misdirection
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釜底抽薪
fǔ dǐ chōu xīn
Eliminate root cause of problem
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推波助澜
tuī bō zhù lán
Amplifying existing trends or momentum
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鹬蚌相争
yù bàng xiāng zhēng
Mutual conflict benefits third party
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 空城计 mean in English?
空城计 (kōng chéng jì) literally translates to “Empty city strategy” and is used to express “Strategic bluff”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 空城计 used?
Situation: In a moment of crisis, he employed the empty city strategy, bluffing his way through the negotiations.
What is the pinyin for 空城计?
The pinyin pronunciation for 空城计 is “kōng chéng jì”.