知己知彼
知己知彼 (zhī jǐ zhī bǐ) literally means “know yourself, know others” and expresses “strategic insight”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: zhi ji zhi bi, zhi ji zhi bi,知己知彼 meaning, 知己知彼 in english
Strategic insight
Pronunciation: zhī jǐ zhī bǐ Literal meaning: Know yourself, know others
Origin & Usage
Sun Tzu's line in the chapter on attack by stratagem runs 知彼知己，百战不殆 — know the other and know yourself, and a hundred engagements will not endanger you. Two things get lost in the popular version. The order is reversed, the enemy coming first; and the promise is not a hundred victories but a hundred fights without peril, which is a colder and more accurate claim. Sun Tzu grades the rest: knowing yourself alone gives even odds, and knowing neither loses every time.
Examples
English: "To succeed in business, it's essential to understand both your strengths and your competitors' weaknesses."
Chinese: 在商业中，了解自己和竞争对手的优劣势至关重要。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
顾此失彼
gù cǐ shī bǐ
Unable to cover everything at once
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身不由己
shēn bù yóu jǐ
Forced to act against will
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各抒己见
gè shū jǐ jiàn
Everyone freely express their own opinions
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损人利己
sǔn rén lì jǐ
Selfish gain
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舍己为人
shě jǐ wèi rén
Selflessness
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安分守己
ān fèn shǒu jǐ
Keep within one's proper bounds
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知行合一
zhī xíng hé yī
Practice what you know
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温故知新
wēn gù zhī xīn
Learn new through studying old
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 知己知彼 mean in English?
知己知彼 (zhī jǐ zhī bǐ) literally translates to “Know yourself, know others” and is used to express “Strategic insight”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 知己知彼 used?
Situation: To succeed in business, it's essential to understand both your strengths and your competitors' weaknesses.
What is the pinyin for 知己知彼?
The pinyin pronunciation for 知己知彼 is “zhī jǐ zhī bǐ”.