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.
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Strategic insight
Pronunciation: zhī jǐ zhī bǐ Literal meaning: Know yourself, know others
Origin & Usage
The idiom 知己知彼 (zhī jǐ zhī bǐ) originates from the classic military treatise 《孙子兵法》 (The Art of War) by Sun Tzu, a renowned military strategist from the Spring and Autumn period. In the chapter titled 《谋攻》 (Móu Gōng), Sun Tzu emphasizes that understanding both oneself (知己, zhī jǐ) and the enemy (知彼, zhī bǐ) is crucial for achieving success in battle. This principle was famously applied by Sun Tzu in advising King Helü of Wu during his campaign against the state of Chu. By thoroughly analyzing both his own strengths and the weaknesses of the enemy, Sun Tzu helped the Wu army achieve a decisive victory. In modern usage, this idiom underscores the importance of comprehensive knowledge and preparation in various fields, from business to diplomacy.
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
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 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”.