计策 (jì cè) — stratagem; a calculated plan or scheme (often i…

Definition

A clever or deceptive scheme, often a trick to outwit an opponent. Compared to 策略, which is a neutral plan or method, 计策 implies cunning and guile.

noun

stratagema calculated plan or scheme (often involving cleverness or deception)a military or political maneuver designed to outwit an opponent

Measure word · 个

，计策。
Wèi le yíng dé shì chǎng, tā men xiǎng chū le yí gè qiǎo miào de jì cè.
In order to win the market, they came up with a clever stratagem.
计策。
Sūn wǔ de jì cè bāng zhù wú guó dǎ le hěn duō shèng zhàng.
Sun Wu's stratagems helped the Wu state win many battles.
，计策。
Miàn duì kùn nan, tā zǒng shì néng xiǎng chū qí miào de jì cè.
Faced with difficulties, he can always come up with ingenious stratagems.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

策cèstrategy

计 plan and 策 strategy combine into a clever scheme.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 計; 计 is its simplified writing.

言十計

The traditional form 計 pairs 言 (say) with 十 (all). The simplified 计 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical shape.

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