chūmóuhuàcè: 出谋划策 - To Give Advice and Make Plans, To Strategize

• Keywords: chū móu huà cè, 出谋划策, give advice Chinese, Chinese strategist, make plans Chinese, Chinese idiom for strategy, how to say brainstorm in Chinese, Chinese advisor, mastermind a plan
• Summary: Learn the Chinese idiom 出谋划策 (chū móu huà cè), which means to act as an advisor, strategist, or the “brains of the operation.” This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, cultural roots in figures like Zhuge Liang, and how to use it in modern business and daily life. Master this term to describe the act of giving advice, brainstorming, and masterminding a plan.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chū móu huà cè
• Part of Speech: Idiom (Chengyu), often used as a verb.
• HSK Level: HSK 6+ (Chengyu)
• Concise Definition: To devise strategies and offer advice.
• In a Nutshell: 出谋划策 (chū móu huà cè) is about being the person who thinks up the plans, not necessarily the one who carries them out. It describes the act of brainstorming, strategizing, and providing wise counsel for a specific goal. Think of it as being the “mastermind” or the “strategic advisor” behind a project, decision, or campaign. It's a very positive term that praises someone's intelligence and ability to plan.

• 出 (chū): To put forth, to produce, to come out.
• 谋 (móu): A plan, a scheme, a strategy; to scheme.
• 划 (huà): To draw up (a plan), to map out.
• 策 (cè): A plan, a policy, a stratagem.

The characters combine literally and powerfully: “To put forth (出) schemes (谋) and draw up (划) strategies (策).” Each character reinforces the idea of thoughtful, intelligent planning.

The idiom 出谋划策 evokes the image of the classic wise advisor (军师, jūnshī) in Chinese history and literature, a figure of immense cultural importance. The most famous example is Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) from the Three Kingdoms period, a brilliant strategist who served the warlord Liu Bei. He was the quintessential man who would 出谋划策, devising legendary strategies that won battles from behind the scenes. This cultural archetype highlights a deep-seated value in Chinese society: respect for intellect, strategic thinking, and the wisdom of counsel. A leader's strength is measured not just by their own power, but by the quality of the advisors they attract. A Western comparison might be a “strategic consultant,” a “consigliere,” or “the brains of the operation.” However, “consigliere” can have negative, mafia-related connotations, which 出谋划策 does not. It is almost always a term of praise. It's less about simply “giving advice” and more about being a dedicated partner in planning and achieving a complex goal, much like a trusted advisor to a king or a CEO.

While it has classical roots, 出谋划策 is very much alive in modern Chinese. It adds a layer of sophistication to the conversation.

• In Business: This term is frequently used in corporate settings. You might hire a consultant to 为公司发展出谋划策 (wèi gōngsī fāzhǎn chūmóuhuàcè) - “to devise strategies for the company's development.” It's also used in team meetings to encourage brainstorming.
• In Personal Life: You can use it when asking a trusted friend for help with a complex personal situation, like planning a proposal or figuring out a career change. It shows you value their intelligence and insight. For example: “快来帮我出谋划策，我该怎么解决这个问题？” (Come help me strategize, how should I solve this problem?)
• Formality & Connotation: It's a formal idiom (Chengyu) but is flexible enough for educated, informal speech. It always carries a positive connotation, implying that the advice and plans are intelligent, helpful, and valuable.

• Example 1:
  • 他是公司的核心人物，经常为老板出谋划策。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì gōngsī de héxīn rénwù, jīngcháng wèi lǎobǎn chūmóuhuàcè.
  • English: He is a key figure in the company, often devising strategies and giving advice to the boss.
  • Analysis: This is a classic business context. It highlights the person's role as a strategist and trusted advisor, not just a regular employee.
• Example 2:
  • 我需要你为我的求婚计划出谋划策。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào nǐ wèi wǒ de qiúhūn jìhuà chūmóuhuàcè.
  • English: I need you to help me brainstorm and strategize for my marriage proposal plan.
  • Analysis: Here, the idiom is used in a personal, informal context among friends. It elevates a simple request for “advice” to a call for “masterminding,” making it sound more significant and fun.
• Example 3:
  • 在中国历史上，有很多为皇帝出谋划策的著名军师。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng, yǒu hěnduō wèi huángdì chūmóuhuàcè de zhùmíng jūnshī.
  • English: In Chinese history, there were many famous military advisors who devised strategies for the emperor.
  • Analysis: This sentence points directly to the cultural origin of the term, linking it to historical figures like court advisors.
• Example 4:
  • 我们团队需要一个善于出谋划策的人才。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen tuánduì xūyào yí ge shànyú chūmóuhuàcè de réncái.
  • English: Our team needs a talented person who is good at strategizing and planning.
  • Analysis: Used in a job description or team-building context. “善于 (shànyú)” means “to be good at,” and pairing it with this idiom describes a highly sought-after skill.
• Example 5:
  • 感谢你的出谋划策，我们的项目才能这么成功。
  • Pinyin: Gǎnxiè nǐ de chūmóuhuàcè, wǒmen de xiàngmù cáinéng zhème chénggōng.
  • English: Thanks to your strategic planning, our project was able to be so successful.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, the idiom functions as a noun phrase: “your strategizing.” It's a very polite and formal way to give someone credit for their intellectual contribution.
• Example 6:
  • 面对复杂的市场环境，我们必须一起出谋划策，找到出路。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì fùzá de shìchǎng huánjìng, wǒmen bìxū yìqǐ chūmóuhuàcè, zhǎodào chūlù.
  • English: Facing a complex market environment, we must strategize together to find a way out.
  • Analysis: This shows the collaborative nature of the term. It's often used with “一起 (yìqǐ)” meaning “together,” perfect for brainstorming sessions.
• Example 7:
  • 他虽然职位不高，但总能为团队出谋划策，解决关键问题。
  • Pinyin: Tā suīrán zhíwèi bù gāo, dàn zǒng néng wèi tuánduì chūmóuhuàcè, jiějué guānjiàn wèntí.
  • English: Although his position isn't high, he can always offer strategies for the team and solve key problems.
  • Analysis: This emphasizes that the ability to `出谋划策` is a respected skill independent of official rank or title.
• Example 8:
  • 诸葛亮为刘备出谋划策，最终帮助他建立了蜀国。
  • Pinyin: Zhūgě Liàng wèi Liú Bèi chūmóuhuàcè, zuìzhōng bāngzhù tā jiànlì le Shǔ guó.
  • English: Zhuge Liang devised strategies for Liu Bei, ultimately helping him establish the Kingdom of Shu.
  • Analysis: A direct historical example that every Chinese speaker would recognize. It's the archetypal use of the idiom.
• Example 9:
  • 这次活动办得很好，背后一定有高人出谋划策。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì huódòng bàn de hěn hǎo, bèihòu yídìng yǒu gāorén chūmóuhuàcè.
  • English: This event was run very well; there must have been an expert mastermind behind it.
  • Analysis: This implies that a successful outcome was the result of clever, behind-the-scenes planning. “高人 (gāorén)” means an expert or master.
• Example 10:
  • 他这个人就喜欢在背后出谋划策，让别人去执行。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén jiù xǐhuān zài bèihòu chūmóuhuàcè, ràng biérén qù zhíxíng.
  • English: This person just loves to be the one strategizing behind the scenes and letting others do the execution.
  • Analysis: This usage is neutral but can carry a slightly critical tone, depending on the context. It suggests someone who prefers planning to doing the actual work, but it still acknowledges their strategic role.

• Not for Simple Advice: Don't use 出谋划策 for simple, everyday advice. If a friend asks, “Should I order pizza or noodles?” and you say “Pizza,” you are not `出谋划策`. You are `提建议 (tí jiànyì)` - giving a suggestion. Use `出谋划策` for complex situations requiring a real plan or strategy.
  • Incorrect: 你能帮我出谋划策我今天该穿什么吗？ (Can you mastermind what I should wear today?)
  • Correct: 我应该怎么追那个女孩？你快帮我出谋划策！ (How should I pursue that girl? Quick, help me devise a strategy!)
• Advisor vs. Doer: The person who `出谋划策` is the planner, the strategist. They are not necessarily the one who executes the plan. A general might `出谋划策` for the king, but it's the soldiers who fight the battle. Misunderstanding this can lead to confusion about someone's role.
• “False Friend” Warning: It is much stronger than the English “to give advice.” “To give advice” is `给建议 (gěi jiànyì)` or `提建议 (tí jiànyì)`. `出谋划策` is about co-creating an entire strategic framework. It implies a deeper level of involvement and intelligence.

• 建议 (jiànyì) - Suggestion; advice. A much more common and general term. `出谋划策` is the process of creating many detailed `建议`.
• 军师 (jūnshī) - A military advisor; a strategist. The classic archetype of a person who does `出谋划策`.
• 智囊 (zhìnáng) - Literally “wisdom bag.” Refers to a key advisor, a brain trust, or a think tank. A person who is a `智囊` is great at `出谋划策`.
• 策略 (cèlüè) - Strategy (noun). `出谋划策` is the action of creating a `策略`.
• 运筹帷幄 (yùn chóu wéi wò) - A more formal idiom meaning “to devise strategies within a command tent.” It has a strong military flavor and emphasizes high-level planning away from the frontline. It's a close synonym but even more grandiose.
• 指点 (zhǐdiǎn) - To give pointers or guidance. This is usually done by a senior or expert to a junior, and is less about collaborative planning and more about direct instruction.
• 三个臭皮匠，赛过诸葛亮 (sān ge chòu píjiàng, sài guò Zhūgě Liàng) - “Three cobblers with their wits combined are better than one Zhuge Liang.” A famous proverb that champions the power of group brainstorming, which is a form of collective `出谋划策`.