In Chinese culture, which deeply values perseverance, diligence (勤奋 qínfèn), and following the proper steps (按部就班 àn bù jiù bān), the idea of a “捷径” can be viewed with suspicion. While Western, particularly American, culture often celebrates “life hacks” and “working smarter, not harder,” taking a 捷径 in a Chinese context can imply that one is trying to avoid the character-building process of hard work. For example, in education or career development, saying someone is looking for a 捷径 often suggests they are unwilling to put in the necessary effort and are seeking an unearned advantage. It can be seen as a form of “投机取巧 (tóu jī qǔ qiǎo),” or opportunistic trickery. This is different from finding a more efficient method (一个更有效率的方法 yí ge gèng yǒu xiàolǜ de fāngfǎ), which is seen positively. The key difference lies in the intention: is it about genuine efficiency or about skipping essential steps and responsibilities? Therefore, while a physical shortcut is neutral, a figurative one requires careful consideration of the context. Praising someone for finding a “shortcut” at work might accidentally imply they cut corners.
The term 捷径 is versatile and used in many modern contexts, with its connotation shifting based on the situation.
The most common way to use it is in the phrase 走捷径 (zǒu jiéjìng), which means “to take a shortcut.”