sānshíliùjì: 三十六计 - The Thirty-Six Stratagems

Keywords: Thirty-Six Stratagems, 36 stratagems, san shi liu ji, 三十六计, Chinese strategy, Chinese military tactics, Sun Tzu Art of War, ancient Chinese wisdom, cunning plans, deception, business strategy.

Summary: The 三十六计 (sān shí liù jì), or the Thirty-Six Stratagems, is a famous collection of ancient Chinese proverbs used to illustrate clever tactics and cunning plans. Far more than just military theory, this classic text on strategy is deeply embedded in Chinese culture and is applied metaphorically to everything from business negotiations and political maneuvering to everyday problem-solving. It's a guide to outsmarting opponents and navigating complex situations with intelligence and flexibility, making it a cornerstone of Chinese strategic thinking.

Pinyin (with tone marks): sān shí liù jì

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: N/A

Concise Definition: A classic Chinese text detailing 36 stratagems or tactical schemes used in warfare, politics, and civil interaction.

In a Nutshell: Imagine a secret playbook of 36 clever tricks to win any conflict, not with brute force, but with brains. That's the 三十六计. It's a collection of ancient tactics for deception, escape, and gaining an advantage when you're the underdog. While its origins are in warfare, today it's used to talk about clever moves in business, office politics, or even just getting out of an awkward situation. The most famous stratagem is the last one: “If all else fails, run away!”

三 (sān): The number “three.”

十 (shí): The number “ten.” Together, 三十 (sānshí) means “thirty.”

六 (liù): The number “six.”

计 (jì): A plan, stratagem, scheme, or to calculate. It implies a clever, thought-out plan.

The characters literally combine to mean “Thirty-Six Stratagems” or “Thirty-Six Plans.”

Importance: The 三十六计 is a cultural touchstone in China, symbolizing the value placed on intelligence, adaptability, and pragmatism over raw power. It's often referenced alongside Sun Tzu's The Art of War as a pillar of Chinese strategic thought. The core idea is that victory is achieved through superior planning and psychological insight, not just superior force. It teaches one to assess the situation, know the opponent, and use deception or indirect approaches to achieve a goal.

Comparison to Western Concepts: In the West, one might think of “Machiavellian” tactics. However, this comparison is incomplete. While some stratagems are indeed about ruthless deception, many are about survival, patience, and creating opportunities from a position of weakness. A key Western ideal, especially in sports or conflict, is the idea of a “fair fight.” The 三十六计 comes from a different perspective, where “playing fair” against a stronger or unscrupulous opponent is seen as foolish. The goal is to win effectively and efficiently, and using your wits to do so is considered a virtue.

Related Values: The text reflects the cultural value of flexibility (灵活, línghuó). Instead of rigid rules, it offers a toolkit of adaptable plans. It highlights the idea that the seemingly weak can defeat the strong through cleverness, a theme beloved in Chinese history and folklore.

In Conversation: People rarely discuss the entire list, but they frequently reference the concept or a specific stratagem (often by name) to describe a clever or cunning situation. Saying “他这是在用三十六计啊 (tā zhè shì zài yòng sānshíliùjì a)” means “He's using one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems on us!” It can be said admiringly, suspiciously, or humorously.

In Business: The world of Chinese business is rife with metaphors from the 三十六计. A company might use a “decoy” product to distract competitors (声东击西, sheng dōng jī xī – “make a sound in the east, then strike in the west”). A negotiator might “toss out a brick to attract a jade” (抛砖引玉, pāo zhuān yǐn yù) by making a small concession to get a larger one in return.

In Daily Life: The most common application by far is the 36th stratagem: 走为上策 (zǒu wéi shàng cè), which means “running away is the best policy.” This is used constantly to advise someone to exit an unwinnable argument, a bad investment, a toxic relationship, or any no-win situation.

Not Just About War: The biggest mistake is thinking the 三十六计 is only a military manual. While it uses the language of war, its principles are applied to almost any competitive or complex social situation in modern China. It's a philosophy of interaction.

Not Inherently “Evil”: While many stratagems involve deception, it's a mistake to view the collection as purely immoral. It's a neutral toolkit. Stratagems like “Befriend a distant state while attacking a neighbor” (远交近攻) are pragmatic, while “Retreating is the best policy” (走为上策) is about self-preservation. The morality lies in the user's intent.

False Friend: “Strategy”: While `三十六计` involves strategy, it's not a perfect synonym. The English word “strategy” is a broad and often neutral term for a high-level plan. 三十六计 refers specifically to a collection of named, often deceptive or unconventional, “ploys,” “schemes,” or “tricks.” It carries a much stronger connotation of cunning and cleverness.

孙子兵法 (Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ) - The Art of War. The foundational philosophical text on strategy. The 三十六计 can be seen as a more practical, tactical “cookbook” that puts Sun Tzu's principles into action.

计谋 (jìmóu) - A scheme, a plot. A general term for a clever plan, often used with a slightly negative or suspicious connotation.

策略 (cèlüè) - Strategy, tactics. A modern, neutral, and formal word very close in meaning to the English “strategy.”

走为上策 (zǒu wéi shàng cè) - The 36th stratagem and a very common idiom meaning “Retreating is the best option.”

兵不厌诈 (bīng bù yàn zhà) - An idiom meaning “All's fair in war” or “Nothing is too deceitful in warfare.” It perfectly captures the spirit of many stratagems.

空城计 (kōng chéng jì) - The “Empty Fort Stratagem,” a famous plan of psychological warfare from the collection.

手段 (shǒuduàn) - Method, means, trick. A term for how something is done. It can be neutral but often carries a negative connotation of being a “ploy” or “trick.”