====== tōuxí: 偷袭 - Sneak Attack, Ambush, Raid ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** touxi, tōuxí, 偷袭, Chinese sneak attack, ambush in Chinese, raid in Chinese, Chinese surprise attack, what does touxi mean, backstab Chinese, military strategy Chinese, gaming terms Chinese
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning of **偷袭 (tōuxí)**, a common Chinese word for a "sneak attack" or "ambush." This page explores its use in military contexts, modern gaming culture, and as a metaphor for backstabbing or unfair tactics in daily life. Understand the cultural nuances of **偷袭 (tōuxí)** and how it contrasts with the idea of an open, honorable confrontation.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tōuxí
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6
  * **Concise Definition:** To launch a surprise attack, raid, or ambush.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **偷袭 (tōuxí)** is more than just an attack; it's an attack defined by its stealth and deception. The core feeling is one of unfairness and cowardice because the target is unprepared. It implies breaking the "rules" of a fair fight, whether in war, a game, or a verbal argument.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **偷 (tōu):** The primary meaning of this character is "to steal." It carries the strong sense of taking something secretly or without permission.
  * **袭 (xí):** This character means "to attack" or "to raid," often implying a surprise element.
  * When combined, **偷袭 (tōuxí)** literally means a "stolen attack." This paints a vivid picture of an attack that is conducted with the stealth of a thief, catching the victim completely off-guard.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **偷袭 (tōuxí)** is deeply connected to Chinese strategic thinking, famously articulated in Sun Tzu's //The Art of War// (孙子兵法, Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ), where deception is a cornerstone of victory. In a military context, a successful **偷袭** can be seen as brilliant strategy.
  * However, in personal and social contexts, it has a strong negative moral judgment. It is the direct opposite of being **光明正大 (guāngmíngzhèngdà)**, which means "open, just, and honorable." Accusing someone of **偷袭** in an argument is to accuse them of being a cowardly backstabber.
  * **Comparison to Western Culture:** The English word "ambush" is a close tactical equivalent. However, **偷袭 (tōuxí)** often carries a heavier moral weight, similar to a "sucker punch" or a "cheap shot." While an "ambush" in a war movie might be cheered as clever, a **偷袭** in a social setting is always condemned as dishonorable. It violates the cultural value of fairness (公平, gōngpíng).
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **Military and History:** This is the most literal usage, describing historical events or military tactics. E.g., The attack on Pearl Harbor is often described as a **偷袭**.
  * **Gaming (游戏):** Extremely common. Used to describe "ganking" (when multiple players ambush a lone player) or any kind of surprise attack on an unsuspecting opponent in games like League of Legends (英雄联盟) or PUBG (绝地求生).
  * **Sports (体育):** Can be used to describe a clever, surprising play that catches the opponent off guard, like a quick steal in basketball. Here, the connotation can be more neutral or even positive, highlighting cleverness.
  * **Figurative & Interpersonal:** This is a crucial use for learners. It can describe a verbal "attack" or a difficult question you weren't expecting in a meeting. It's also used for office politics and backstabbing. For example, "He **偷袭**-ed me by telling the boss about my mistake behind my back."
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 敌人趁着夜色**偷袭**了我们的营地。
    * Pinyin: Dírén chènzhe yèsè **tōuxí**le wǒmen de yíngdì.
    * English: The enemy took advantage of the night to launch a sneak attack on our camp.
    * Analysis: This is the classic, literal military usage of the term.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 在游戏里，我最讨厌别人从背后**偷袭**。
    * Pinyin: Zài yóuxì lǐ, wǒ zuì tǎoyàn biérén cóng bèihòu **tōuxí**.
    * English: In video games, I hate it when people sneak attack me from behind.
    * Analysis: A very common sentence you'd hear among young people in China. It perfectly illustrates the "gaming" context.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 他在会议上突然问我那个难题，简直就是一种**偷袭**。
    * Pinyin: Tā zài huìyì shàng tūrán wèn wǒ nàge nán tí, jiǎnzhí jiùshì yī zhǒng **tōuxí**.
    * English: He suddenly asked me that difficult question in the meeting; it was basically a sneak attack.
    * Analysis: Here, **偷袭** is used figuratively to describe an unfair verbal or social tactic. Note that it is used as a noun here: "一种偷袭" (a type of sneak attack).
  * **Example 4:**
    * 小心点，我感觉对手可能会**偷袭**我们的后方。
    * Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn diǎn, wǒ gǎnjué duìshǒu kěnéng huì **tōuxí** wǒmen de hòufāng.
    * English: Be careful, I have a feeling the opponent might try to raid our rear.
    * Analysis: This shows **偷袭** used as a warning, highlighting the element of anticipation and prevention.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 日本对珍珠港的**偷袭**是二战的转折点之一。
    * Pinyin: Rìběn duì Zhēnzhūgǎng de **tōuxí** shì Èrzhàn de zhuǎnzhédiǎn zhī yī.
    * English: Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor was one of the turning points of WWII.
    * Analysis: A common historical example. Again, **偷袭** is used as a noun here: "the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor."
  * **Example 6:**
    * 篮球比赛最后几秒，他**偷袭**成功，抢断并投篮得分。
    * Pinyin: Lánqiú bǐsài zuìhòu jǐ miǎo, tā **tōuxí** chénggōng, qiǎngduàn bìng tóulán dé fēn.
    * English: In the last few seconds of the basketball game, he succeeded in a surprise move, stealing the ball and scoring.
    * Analysis: This is an example from sports where the connotation is less negative and more about being quick-witted and skillful.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 你不应该在背后**偷袭**你的朋友，那太不光明正大了。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ bù yīnggāi zài bèihòu **tōuxí** nǐ de péngyǒu, nà tài bù guāngmíngzhèngdà le.
    * English: You shouldn't backstab your friends like that, it's so dishonorable.
    * Analysis: This directly contrasts **偷袭** with its antonym, **光明正大 (guāngmíngzhèngdà)**, highlighting the moral dimension.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 趁老板不注意，他**偷袭**了冰箱里的一块蛋糕。
    * Pinyin: Chèn lǎobǎn bù zhùyì, tā **tōuxí** le bīngxiāng lǐ de yī kuài dàngāo.
    * English: While the boss wasn't looking, he sneak-attacked a piece of cake from the fridge.
    * Analysis: A humorous and informal usage. The "attack" is on the cake, but the stealthy, "stealing" nature of **偷袭** makes it a funny word choice.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 游击队擅长用**偷袭**战术来对付装备精良的敌军。
    * Pinyin: Yóujīduì shàncháng yòng **tōuxí** zhànshù lái duìfù zhuāngbèi jīngliáng de díjūn.
    * English: The guerrilla fighters are skilled at using sneak attack tactics to deal with the well-equipped enemy forces.
    * Analysis: This shows **偷袭** as part of a larger strategy: "偷袭战术" (sneak attack tactics).
  * **Example 10:**
    * 这次考试的最后一道题完全超出了范围，感觉被老师**偷袭**了。
    * Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì de zuìhòu yī dào tí wánquán chāochū le fànwéi, gǎnjué bèi lǎoshī **tōuxí** le.
    * English: The last question on this exam was completely out of scope; I feel like I was ambushed by the teacher.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates the passive voice with "被 (bèi)". The student feels like the victim of an unfair surprise from the teacher.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **False Friends: 偷袭 (tōuxí) vs. 埋伏 (máifú)**
    * **埋伏 (máifú)** means "to ambush" in the sense of "to lie in wait." It is the //preparation// for an attack.
    * **偷袭 (tōuxí)** is the //action// of the surprise attack itself.
    * You can say: 我们**埋伏**在这里，等他们过来再**偷袭**。(Wǒmen **máifú** zài zhèlǐ, děng tāmen guòlái zài **tōuxí**.) - We will **lie in wait** here, and when they come over, we will **launch a sneak attack**.
  * **Common Mistake: Using 偷袭 for an open attack.**
    * **偷袭** requires the element of surprise and stealth. You cannot use it to describe a declared battle or a challenge that both parties expect.
    * **Incorrect:** 两个拳击手在擂台上互相**偷袭**。 (Liǎng ge quánjī shǒu zài lèitái shàng hùxiāng **tōuxí**.)
    * **Why it's wrong:** A boxing match is, by definition, an open and agreed-upon fight. While a single punch might be a "sucker punch," the overall action is **攻击 (gōngjī)** or **对打 (duìdǎ)**, not **偷袭**.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[埋伏]] (máifú) - To lie in wait, to set an ambush. The act of hiding and waiting //before// a **偷袭**.
  * [[突袭]] (tūxí) - A sudden attack or raid. Similar to **偷袭**, but emphasizes speed and suddenness (突) more than stealth (偷). It can feel less "cowardly."
  * [[暗算]] (ànsuàn) - To plot against someone in secret, to backstab. More about scheming, betrayal, and intrigue rather than a physical attack.
  * [[攻击]] (gōngjī) - To attack. This is a general, neutral term for any kind of attack, whether a surprise or an open one.
  * [[光明正大]] (guāngmíngzhèngdà) - An idiom meaning open, honorable, and aboveboard. The direct antonym of the feeling of **偷袭**.
  * [[出其不意]] (chūqíbùyì) - An idiom meaning "to catch sb by surprise" or "to do sth when least expected." Describes the //effect// of a **偷袭**.
  * [[打黑枪]] (dǎ hēiqiāng) - Lit. "to fire a black gun." A very colloquial term for backstabbing or launching a sneak attack, especially in a social or political context.