远交近攻
远交近攻 (yuǎn jiāo jìn gōng) literally means “befriend distant, attack nearby” and expresses “strategic prioritization”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: yuan jiao jin gong, yuan jiao jin gong,远交近攻 meaning, 远交近攻 in english
Strategic prioritization
Pronunciation: yuǎn jiāo jìn gōng Literal meaning: Befriend distant, attack nearby
Origin & Usage
The idiom 远交近攻 (yuǎn jiāo jìn gōng) originates from the strategic counsel given by the advisor Fan Ju to King Zhaoxiang of Qin during the Warring States period, as recorded in the 'Strategies of the Warring States' (《战国策》). Fan Ju advised the king to 'befriend distant states and attack nearby ones' to expand Qin's territory effectively. By forming alliances with distant states (远, distant; 交, ally) and focusing military efforts on neighboring adversaries (近, near; 攻, attack), Qin could avoid overextending its resources and gradually increase its power. This strategy laid the groundwork for Qin's eventual unification of China. In modern contexts, the idiom suggests a methodical approach to problem-solving by addressing immediate challenges while maintaining broader alliances.
Examples
English: "In the game of politics, forming alliances with distant nations while undermining local rivals can be a winning strategy."
Chinese: 在政治博弈中，远交近攻的策略常常能取得胜利。
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 远交近攻 mean in English?
远交近攻 (yuǎn jiāo jìn gōng) literally translates to “Befriend distant, attack nearby” and is used to express “Strategic prioritization”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 远交近攻 used?
Situation: In the game of politics, forming alliances with distant nations while undermining local rivals can be a winning strategy.
What is the pinyin for 远交近攻?
The pinyin pronunciation for 远交近攻 is “yuǎn jiāo jìn gōng”.