上策 (shàng cè) — the best course of action; the optimal strategy

Definition

A formal/literary term for 'the best strategy' — used in writing or formal speech about plans and policy, not casual conversation.

noun

the best course of actionthe optimal strategy

，上策。
Zài mù qián de qíng kuàng xià, chè tuì shì shàng cè.
In the current situation, retreat is the best course of action.
上策，。
Tā xuǎn zé le shàng cè, bì miǎn le gèng dà de sǔn shī.
He chose the best strategy and avoided greater losses.
，上策。
Yǔ qí mào xiǎn, bù rú cǎi qǔ shàng cè.
Rather than taking risks, it's better to adopt the optimal strategy.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

策cèstrategy

「上」 marks the best option, and 「策」 is the plan or strategy.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

竹朿策

Meaning part形符xíngfú

竹竹zhúbamboo

Sound part声符shēngfú

朿

朿cì策cè

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

策 pairs 竹 (bamboo) with 朿 as a sound part.

Appears in