世故 (shì gù) — worldly wisdom; experience and skill in dealing with human affairs; social savvy

Definition

世故 (shìgu, written as one word) names the shrewd, experienced way of handling people and social situations — pragmatic savvy, not cynicism. Often paired with 老到 or 圆滑, and traditionally a mild compliment of maturity rather than a slur.

noun
worldly wisdomexperience and skill in dealing with human affairssocial savvy

Examples

  • 世故
    Tā nián jì bú dà, què dǒng de hěn duō shì gù.
    Although he is young, he knows a lot about worldly affairs.
  • 世故
    Xué xí shì gù xū yào shí jiān hé jīng lì.
    Learning worldly wisdom takes time and experience.
  • 世故
    Tā cóng xiǎo jiù zài fù zá de huán jìng zhōng xué huì le shì gù.
    He learned worldly wisdom from a young age in a complicated environment.

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