gōnglüè: 攻略 - Walkthrough, Strategy Guide, Playbook

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• Summary: 攻略 (gōnglüè) is a popular Chinese term that translates to a “walkthrough,” “strategy guide,” or “playbook.” Originally a military term for “attacking and capturing,” it's now widely used in modern contexts like video games, travel, and even dating. A 攻略 is not just a simple guide; it's a detailed, strategic plan designed to help you efficiently “conquer” a challenge, master a skill, or have the most optimized experience possible. Whether you're looking for a gaming 攻略 to beat a final boss or a travel 攻略 for the perfect trip to Beijing, this word is essential for navigating modern Chinese life and media.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gōnglüè
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A detailed guide, walkthrough, or strategic plan for achieving a specific goal.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 攻略 (gōnglüè) as the ultimate “how-to” guide for winning. It started as a serious military term for a plan to “attack and seize” a city. Today, that same conquering spirit is applied to everything else. It's the step-by-step plan to beat a video game, the perfect itinerary to “do” a city right, the insider tips for acing an interview, or even a playful plan for winning someone's heart. It carries a feeling of empowerment, efficiency, and optimization.

• 攻 (gōng): This character means “to attack” or “to assault.” Imagine it as the action of applying effort or force to achieve an objective.
• 略 (lüè): This character means “to capture” or “to seize.” It also carries the meaning of “strategy” or “outline.”
• Together, 攻略 (gōnglüè) literally means “to attack and capture.” This military origin perfectly describes its modern usage: you are strategically “attacking” a problem or challenge and “capturing” the desired result, whether that's a high score, a perfect vacation, or a new skill.

• From Ancient Warfare to Modern Gaming: The term 攻略 has deep roots in Chinese military strategy, evoking classics like The Art of War (孙子兵法 - Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ). It implied a comprehensive, well-thought-out plan for conquest. However, its modern explosion in popularity comes from Japanese video game culture in the 1980s and 90s, where “攻略本” (kōryakubon) were strategy guidebooks. This context was imported into the Chinese-speaking world and took on a life of its own.
• Comparison to “Guide” or “Walkthrough”: In English, we have “guides,” “tutorials,” and “walkthroughs.” 攻略 is similar but culturally distinct. A “travel guide” (like a Fodor's book) is often a neutral collection of information. A 旅游攻略 (lǚyóu gōnglüè), however, implies a more personal, opinionated, and highly efficient plan. It's not just what to see, but how to see it in the best way possible—the best route, the best time to go, the best photo spots, the hidden gems. It's about mastering the experience, not just participating in it.
• A Reflection of Modern Values: The widespread use of 攻略 reflects a modern cultural emphasis on efficiency, optimization, and “life-hacking.” In a fast-paced, competitive society, having a 攻略 means you have an edge. It's about saving time, money, and effort by leveraging the experience and strategies of others.

攻略 is an extremely common word online and in conversation, especially among younger generations.

• Video Games (游戏攻略): This is the most common context. It refers to a step-by-step guide to complete a game, find secrets, or defeat difficult bosses.
• Travel (旅游攻略 / 旅行攻略): Immensely popular on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (小红书) and Zhihu (知乎). Users share detailed itineraries, budget tips, food recommendations, and warnings about tourist traps.
• Life & Work (生活攻略 / 求职攻略): These are “life hack” guides. Examples include a “Job-Hunting Guide” (求职攻略) with tips for resumes and interviews, or a “Rental Guide” (租房攻略) for finding an apartment in a big city.
• Dating & Relationships (恋爱攻略): Often used playfully, this refers to a “playbook” on how to pursue or win someone over. It can be serious advice or a humorous take on the complexities of love.
• As a Verb: Less common, but 攻略 can be used as a verb meaning “to conquer,” “to master,” or “to win over someone.” For example, “I need to 攻略 this level” or (jokingly) “I'm going to 攻略 that handsome guy.”

• Example 1:
  • 我卡关了，得上网找个攻略看看。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kǎ guān le, děi shàngwǎng zhǎo ge gōnglüè kànkan.
  • English: I'm stuck on this level, I need to go online and find a walkthrough.
  • Analysis: A classic example in a gaming context. “卡关 (kǎ guān)” literally means “stuck at a checkpoint,” a common gaming slang.
• Example 2:
  • 这份云南旅游攻略做得太详细了，连去哪家餐厅都写了！
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn Yúnnán lǚyóu gōnglüè zuò de tài xiángxì le, lián qù nǎ jiā cāntīng dōu xiě le!
  • English: This Yunnan travel guide is so detailed, it even says which restaurants to go to!
  • Analysis: This highlights the detailed and strategic nature of a travel 攻略. It's more than just a list of places.
• Example 3:
  • 你是怎么办到一个月就拿到驾照的？快给我一份攻略！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì zěnme bàndào yí ge yuè jiù nádào jiàzhào de? Kuài gěi wǒ yí fèn gōnglüè!
  • English: How did you manage to get your driver's license in just one month? Quick, give me a playbook!
  • Analysis: Shows the use of 攻略 for any complex life task, treating it like a challenge to be “solved” efficiently.
• Example 4:
  • 小红书上有很多关于新手化妆的攻略。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎohóngshū shàng yǒu hěn duō guānyú xīnshǒu huàzhuāng de gōnglüè.
  • English: There are many tutorials/guides for makeup beginners on Xiaohongshu.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates its use for skill-building. Xiaohongshu (a popular Chinese app) is famous for its user-generated 攻略.
• Example 5:
  • 他开玩笑说，他需要一本“恋爱攻略”才能找到女朋友。
  • Pinyin: Tā kāi wánxiào shuō, tā xūyào yī běn “liàn'ài gōnglüè” cái néng zhǎodào nǚpéngyou.
  • English: He joked that he needs a “dating playbook” to be able to find a girlfriend.
  • Analysis: A common, often humorous, use of the term in the context of relationships.
• Example 6:
  • 为了攻略这个游戏的所有成就，我花了两百个小时。
  • Pinyin: Wèile gōnglüè zhè ge yóuxì de suǒyǒu chéngjiù, wǒ huāle liǎng bǎi ge xiǎoshí.
  • English: In order to beat/master all the achievements in this game, I spent 200 hours.
  • Analysis: Here, 攻略 is used as a verb, meaning “to systematically conquer or complete.”
• Example 7:
  • 这篇“双十一”购物攻略帮我省了不少钱。
  • Pinyin: Zhè piān “Shuāng Shíyī” gòuwù gōnglüè bāng wǒ shěng le bù shǎo qián.
  • English: This “Double Eleven” shopping guide helped me save a lot of money.
  • Analysis: Shows how 攻略 is tied to major commercial events, focusing on optimization (saving money).
• Example 8:
  • 他的求职攻略就是海投简历，然后认真准备每一次面试。
  • Pinyin: Tā de qiúzhí gōnglüè jiùshì hǎi tóu jiǎnlì, ránhòu rènzhēn zhǔnbèi měi yí cì miànshì.
  • English: His job-hunting strategy is to mass-send resumes and then seriously prepare for every single interview.
  • Analysis: This frames a personal approach or strategy as a 攻略. “海投 (hǎi tóu)” means “sea-tossing,” a slang for mass-submitting.
• Example 9:
  • 如果你想攻略那个女孩，你得先了解她的兴趣爱好。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng gōnglüè nàge nǚhái, nǐ děi xiān liáojiě tā de xìngqù àihào.
  • English: If you want to win over that girl, you first need to understand her interests and hobbies.
  • Analysis: A colloquial and slightly playful verbal use of 攻略 in dating. It implies a strategic approach to courtship.
• Example 10:
  • 古代将军们会制定详细的攻略来攻占城池。
  • Pinyin: Gǔdài jiāngjūnmen huì zhìdìng xiángxì de gōnglüè lái gōngzhàn chéngchí.
  • English: Ancient generals would create detailed strategies to attack and capture cities.
  • Analysis: This example shows the original, literal military meaning of the word.

• 攻略 (gōnglüè) vs. 指南 (zhǐnán): This is the most important distinction for a learner.
  • 指南 (zhǐnán) - Guidebook: A neutral, objective set of instructions or information. A museum's official map is a 指南.
  • 攻略 (gōnglüè) - Strategy Guide: A subjective, strategic plan to get the best result. A blog post about “How to see the entire museum in 2 hours and skip the lines” is a 攻略. A 指南 informs; a 攻略 empowers you to win.
• 攻略 (gōnglüè) vs. 秘籍 (mìjí):
  • 秘籍 (mìjí) - Cheat Sheet/Secret Manual: Implies hidden knowledge, secrets, or even cheats (like the Konami code). A 攻略 is a legitimate strategy, not necessarily a secret or a cheat.
• Not just “Strategy”: While related, 攻略 is more tactical and hands-on than the English word “strategy.” “Strategy” (in Chinese, 战略 zhànlüè) is a high-level, long-term plan. A 攻略 is the step-by-step execution plan for a specific, immediate goal. Your company has a 战略 to enter a new market; you use a 攻略 to pass the job interview to get into that company.

• 指南 (zhǐnán) - A guidebook or directory. More objective and less strategic than a 攻略.
• 秘籍 (mìjí) - A “cheat sheet” or secret manual, implying hidden, powerful knowledge.
• 教程 (jiàochéng) - A tutorial. Very similar to 攻略, but often more focused on teaching a single skill step-by-step.
• 技巧 (jìqiǎo) - A skill, tip, or trick. A good 攻略 is often full of useful 技巧.
• 心得 (xīndé) - Insights, knowledge, or feelings gained from experience. People often write a 攻略 to share their 心得.
• 干货 (gānhuò) - Literally “dry goods.” A very popular slang for content that is practical, useful, and has no fluff. A perfect 攻略 is full of 干货.
• 战略 (zhànlüè) - Strategy. High-level, long-term planning. The “what” and “why.”
• 战术 (zhànshù) - Tactics. Specific methods used to achieve strategic goals. The “how.” A 攻略 is a collection of tactics.
• 打卡 (dǎkǎ) - To “check in” or visit a famous spot, often a key objective listed in a travel 攻略.