zhànshù: 战术 - Tactics, Tactic

• Keywords: zhanshu, 战术, Chinese for tactics, military tactics in Chinese, business tactics, strategy vs tactics in Chinese, Sun Tzu Art of War, Chinese words, learn Chinese, HSK 6
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 战术 (zhànshù), the Chinese word for “tactics.” This page explores how 战术 is used not just in its traditional military sense, heavily influenced by classics like Sun Tzu's *The Art of War*, but also in modern contexts like business, sports, and even daily life. Learn the crucial difference between 战术 (zhànshù) (tactics) and 战略 (zhànlüè) (strategy) to master a key concept in Chinese thought and communication.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhànshù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A specific method or action used to achieve a short-term objective, especially as part of a larger plan.
• In a Nutshell: 战术 (zhànshù) refers to the “how” of a situation. If your overall goal (your strategy) is to win a soccer game, your 战术 (zhànshù) would be the specific plays, formations, and moves you use during the game to score goals and defend. It's about the concrete, on-the-ground actions you take to execute a plan.

• 战 (zhàn): This character means “war,” “battle,” or “to fight.” Its ancient form often depicted a spear (戈), symbolizing conflict and combat.
• 术 (shù): This character means “method,” “technique,” or “art.” It refers to a specific skill or way of doing something.
• When combined, 战术 (zhànshù) literally translates to “battle method” or “the art of battle.” This origin clearly points to its meaning as the specific techniques and maneuvers used to win a confrontation.

The concept of 战术 (zhànshù) is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, largely due to a long and rich history of strategic thought. The most famous example is 《孙子兵法》 (Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ), or *The Art of War*, a foundational text that is studied worldwide. While the book's title implies war, its core teachings are about the interplay between 战略 (zhànlüè) - strategy, the overall long-term plan - and 战术 (zhànshù) - tactics, the flexible, short-term actions to achieve it. In Western culture, “strategy” and “tactics” are also distinct, but in China, this distinction is a very conscious part of planning in many domains, not just the military. A good Chinese business leader, for example, is praised for both their long-term vision (战略) and their clever, adaptive execution (战术). The cultural ideal is not just to have a good plan, but to be able to skillfully maneuver and adapt to changing circumstances using effective tactics, often with an emphasis on cleverness and efficiency over brute force.

战术 (zhànshù) is a versatile word used far beyond the battlefield in modern China.

• Business and Negotiation: This is one of the most common non-military uses. Companies discuss 营销战术 (yíngxiāo zhànshù) (marketing tactics), and negotiators employ 谈判战术 (tánpàn zhànshù) (negotiation tactics). It implies a deliberate, planned approach to achieve a business objective.
• Sports and Gaming: Coaches and players frequently discuss team 战术. In the world of e-sports (电竞, diànjìng), commentators will constantly analyze the 战术 of competing teams.
• Everyday Life: While less formal, it can be used humorously or to describe a clever plan for a simple task. For example, you might joke about your 战术 for getting the best deals during a sale or for navigating a crowded subway station.

Its connotation is generally neutral, simply describing a method. However, it can take on a negative feel if the tactic is seen as deceitful or underhanded, often described as 小战术 (xiǎo zhànshù) (petty tactics).

• Example 1:
  • 教练在比赛前详细解释了我们的战术。
  • Pinyin: Jiàoliàn zài bǐsài qián xiángxì jiěshìle wǒmen de zhànshù.
  • English: The coach explained our tactics in detail before the game.
  • Analysis: A classic example in a sports context. 战术 refers to the specific plays and formations the team will use.
• Example 2:
  • 这是一个非常聪明的营销战术，吸引了很多新客户。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yí ge fēicháng cōngmíng de yíngxiāo zhànshù, xīyǐnle hěn duō xīn kèhù.
  • English: This is a very clever marketing tactic that attracted many new customers.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of 战术 in a business context. It's paired with 营销 (yíngxiāo), “marketing.”
• Example 3:
  • 他们的谈判战术是先示弱，然后提出强硬要求。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de tánpàn zhànshù shì xiān shìruò, ránhòu tíchū qiángyìng yāoqiú.
  • English: Their negotiation tactic is to first show weakness, then make tough demands.
  • Analysis: Shows a specific, named tactic in a negotiation setting.
• Example 4:
  • 在《孙子兵法》中，战术的灵活性被高度重视。
  • Pinyin: Zài “Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ” zhōng, zhànshù de línghuóxìng bèi gāodù zhòngshì.
  • English: In “The Art of War,” the flexibility of tactics is highly valued.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects 战术 to its cultural and historical roots.
• Example 5:
  • 我们需要调整战术，因为目前的计划行不通。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào tiáozhěng zhànshù, yīnwèi mùqián de jìhuà xíngbutōng.
  • English: We need to adjust our tactics because the current plan isn't working.
  • Analysis: Highlights the adaptive nature of tactics. You change your tactics when they are not achieving the strategic goal.
• Example 6:
  • 他的战术很简单：就是不停地攻击对方的弱点。
  • Pinyin: Tā de zhànshù hěn jiǎndān: jiùshì bùtíng de gōngjī duìfāng de ruòdiǎn.
  • English: His tactic is simple: just constantly attack the opponent's weakness.
  • Analysis: A straightforward description of a tactic, applicable in sports, gaming, or even debate.
• Example 7:
  • 不要把战术上的小胜利误认为是战略上的成功。
  • Pinyin: Búyào bǎ zhànshù shàng de xiǎo shènglì wùrènwéi shì zhànlüè shàng de chénggōng.
  • English: Don't mistake a small tactical victory for a strategic success.
  • Analysis: This is a key sentence that directly contrasts 战术 (tactics) with 战略 (strategy).
• Example 8:
  • 你有什么战术能让我们在双十一抢到最便宜的东西吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu shéme zhànshù néng ràng wǒmen zài Shuāng Shíyī qiǎng dào zuì piányi de dōngxi ma?
  • English: Do you have any tactics for us to grab the cheapest stuff during the Double Eleven shopping festival?
  • Analysis: A great example of the word's humorous, informal use in modern, everyday life.
• Example 9:
  • 这支电竞战队以其出其不意的战术而闻名。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhī diànjìng zhànduì yǐ qí chūqíbùyì de zhànshù ér wénmíng.
  • English: This e-sports team is famous for its surprising and unexpected tactics.
  • Analysis: Shows 战术 being used in the modern context of professional video gaming.
• Example 10:
  • 灵活运用多种战术是取胜的关键。
  • Pinyin: Línghuó yùnyòng duō zhǒng zhànshù shì qǔshèng de guānjiàn.
  • English: Flexibly using a variety of tactics is the key to victory.
  • Analysis: This sentence summarizes the core idea that tactics are tools to be used flexibly to achieve a goal.

The single most common mistake for learners is confusing 战术 (zhànshù) with 战略 (zhànlüè). They are not interchangeable. Confusing them is like mixing up “battle” and “war.”

• 战术 (zhànshù) - Tactics:
  • Scope: Short-term, specific.
  • Focus: How to win the current fight or accomplish the immediate goal. The “how.”
  • Example: A specific advertising campaign for a new product.
• 战略 (zhànlüè) - Strategy:
  • Scope: Long-term, overarching.
  • Focus: The overall plan to win the war or achieve the ultimate objective. The “what” and “why.”
  • Example: The company's five-year plan to become the market leader.

Incorrect Usage: `我们公司的长期战术是进入欧洲市场。` (Wǒmen gōngsī de chángqī zhànshù shì jìnrù Ōuzhōu shìchǎng.)

• Why it's wrong: “Entering the European market” is a long-term, high-level goal. It is a strategy, not a tactic. The specific marketing campaigns, pricing models, and partnership deals used to enter that market would be the tactics.

Correct Usage: `我们公司的长期战略是进入欧洲市场。` (Wǒmen gōngsī de chángqī zhànlüè shì jìnrù Ōuzhōu shìchǎng.)

• 战略 (zhànlüè) - Strategy. The overarching, long-term plan. The direct counterpart to 战术.
• 策略 (cèlüè) - Also means “strategy” or “tactic,” often used interchangeably with 战略. It can sometimes imply a more specific, clever plan or scheme within a larger strategy.
• 方法 (fāngfǎ) - Method; way. A much more general and neutral term. Any method can be a 方法, but only a method used in a competitive or goal-oriented situation is a 战术.
• 手段 (shǒuduàn) - Means; measure; trick. This word often carries a negative connotation, implying that the means might be unscrupulous or manipulative.
• 技巧 (jìqiǎo) - Skill; technique. Usually refers to a physical or artistic ability, like painting techniques (绘画技巧) or speaking skills (说话技巧), rather than a plan.
• 计谋 (jìmóu) - Stratagem; scheme; plot. A clever plan, often with an element of outsmarting an opponent or using deceit. Very close to the concept of a clever tactic.
• 孙子兵法 (Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ) - *The Art of War*. The foundational Chinese text on military strategy and tactics.