jìmóu: 计谋 - Stratagem, Scheme, Ploy

• Keywords: jì móu, 计谋, Chinese stratagem, Chinese scheme, what does jimou mean, 36 stratagems, art of war, Chinese ploy, Chinese strategy, 计谋 vs 诡计, military tactics
• Summary: The Chinese term 计谋 (jì móu) refers to a stratagem, scheme, or a clever, well-calculated plan. Deeply rooted in Chinese culture through classics like “The Art of War” and the “Thirty-Six Stratagems,” it describes a plan that involves ingenuity, foresight, and often a degree of cunning to outsmart an opponent or navigate a complex situation. While it can describe a malicious plot, it can also be used to praise a brilliant and resourceful strategy, making it a nuanced and powerful word for learners to master.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jì móu
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A carefully planned stratagem, scheme, or ploy, often involving ingenuity or cunning.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `计谋` as more than just a “plan.” A plan (`计划`, jìhuà) is a schedule or a list of steps. A `计谋` is a plan with a twist of brilliance or cunning. It’s the kind of plan a general in an ancient story, a clever detective, or a savvy business competitor would come up with. It implies intellectual maneuvering and thinking several steps ahead of others.

• 计 (jì): This character means “to calculate,” “to plan,” or “to count.” It's composed of a “speech” radical (言) and the number “ten” (十), suggesting a thorough calculation or enumeration that is then spoken or recorded. It points to the logical, calculated aspect of the word.
• 谋 (móu): This character means “to scheme,” “to plot,” or “to seek.” It also contains the “speech” radical (言), combined with 某 (mǒu), which means “a certain” or “some.” This suggests a discussion or plan concerning a specific, perhaps hidden, course of action. It carries the sense of deliberate planning and seeking an outcome.

When combined, 计谋 (jì móu) literally translates to a “calculated scheme.” The two characters reinforce each other, creating a powerful term for a deliberate, well-thought-out stratagem.

`计谋` is a cornerstone concept in Chinese strategic thought, celebrated and analyzed for millennia. Its importance is deeply embedded in: 1. Classical Texts: The most famous examples are “The Art of War” (孙子兵法, Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ) and the “Thirty-Six Stratagems” (三十六计, Sānshíliù Jì). These texts aren't just about war; they are manuals on applied psychology and strategy that value outthinking an opponent over using brute force. Concepts like “deceiving the heavens to cross the sea” (瞒天过海) are famous examples of `计谋`. 2. Historical Romance: Novels like “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” (三国演义) are filled with heroes like Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮), who is revered as the ultimate master of `计谋`, using his intellect to win impossible battles. Comparison to a Western Concept: `计谋` is often translated as “strategy,” but there's a key difference. “Strategy” in English is typically a high-level, long-term plan (e.g., a company's five-year growth strategy). `计谋`, while strategic, often refers to a more specific, tactical, and clever maneuver used to execute that strategy. It emphasizes the *ingenuity* and sometimes the *deception* within the plan, whereas “strategy” can be completely straightforward. A `计谋` is the clever trick that makes the larger strategy work.

`计谋` is not just for ancient battles; it's used frequently in modern language. Its connotation depends heavily on the context.

• In Business: It's used to describe a competitor's clever marketing campaign or a shrewd negotiation tactic. Here, it can be neutral or even admirable.
  • `他们的营销计谋非常高明。` (Their marketing stratagem is brilliant.)
• In Politics and History: It is used to analyze political maneuvers and military tactics. It's the standard term for this context.
  • `这是个旨在分化敌人的政治计谋。` (This is a political ploy aimed at dividing the enemy.)
• In Personal Life: It can be used negatively to describe someone being deceitful or manipulative.
  • `我感觉自己落入了他的计谋之中。` (I feel like I've fallen into his scheme.)
• In a Playful or Humorous Way: Among friends, it can be used to describe a clever, harmless trick.
  • `你又在想什么计谋来逃避家务？` (What little scheme are you thinking up now to avoid chores?)

The key is that `计谋` is rarely used for simple, everyday plans like “my plan to go to the store.” It's reserved for situations involving complexity, competition, or a need for cleverness.

• Example 1:
  • 诸葛亮以其巧妙的计谋而闻名。
  • Pinyin: Zhūgéliàng yǐ qí qiǎomiào de jì móu ér wénmíng.
  • English: Zhuge Liang is famous for his ingenious stratagems.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, positive use of `计谋`, associating it with intelligence and historical reverence.
• Example 2:
  • 这家公司用了一个很聪明的计谋来吸引新客户。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī yòngle yíge hěn cōngmíng de jì móu lái xīyǐn xīn kèhù.
  • English: This company used a very clever scheme to attract new customers.
  • Analysis: A neutral-to-positive use in a modern business context. “Clever scheme” here is a compliment to their business acumen.
• Example 3:
  • 小心，这可能是一个让你上当的计谋。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn, zhè kěnéng shì yíge ràng nǐ shàngdàng de jì móu.
  • English: Be careful, this might be a ploy to make you fall for a trap.
  • Analysis: A clear negative use, warning someone about a deceptive plot. `上当` (shàngdàng) means “to be fooled.”
• Example 4:
  • 我终于识破了他的计谋。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhōngyú shípòle tā de jì móu.
  • English: I finally saw through his scheme.
  • Analysis: `识破` (shípò) means “to see through” a trick or plot. This usage is negative, implying the `计谋` was malicious or deceptive.
• Example 5:
  • 在战争中，好的计谋可以以少胜多。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhànzhēng zhōng, hǎo de jì móu kěyǐ yǐ shǎo shèng duō.
  • English: In war, a good stratagem can allow the few to defeat the many.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the core philosophy behind `计谋` in Chinese military thought—that intelligence trumps brute force.
• Example 6:
  • 他这个人足智多谋，总能想出好计谋。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén zúzhìduōmóu, zǒng néng xiǎng chū hǎo jì móu.
  • English: He is resourceful and full of ideas, and can always come up with good stratagems.
  • Analysis: The idiom `足智多谋` (zúzhìduōmóu - full of wisdom and resourcefulness) is often used to describe someone skilled at devising `计谋`.
• Example 7:
  • 他们的整个项目就是一个复杂的计谋，旨在击败竞争对手。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de zhěnggè xiàngmù jiùshì yíge fùzá de jì móu, zhǐ zài jībài jìngzhēng duìshǒu.
  • English: Their entire project is a complex stratagem designed to defeat their competitors.
  • Analysis: This highlights the scale and complexity a `计谋` can have. It is neutral here, simply describing a competitive business strategy.
• Example 8:
  • 你为了不去上班，竟然假装生病，这计谋不错嘛！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wèile bú qù shàngbān, jìngrán jiǎzhuāng shēngbìng, zhè jì móu búcuò ma!
  • English: You pretended to be sick just to avoid going to work, not a bad ploy!
  • Analysis: A humorous and informal usage. Calling a simple trick a `计谋` is an exaggeration that makes it sound funny.
• Example 9:
  • 那个政客被指控使用不光彩的计谋来赢得选举。
  • Pinyin: Nàge zhèngkè bèi zhǐkòng shǐyòng bù guāngcǎi de jì móu lái yíngdé xuǎnjǔ.
  • English: That politician was accused of using disgraceful schemes to win the election.
  • Analysis: The adjective `不光彩` (bù guāngcǎi - disgraceful, dishonorable) clearly marks `计谋` as negative in this context.
• Example 10:
  • 我们需要的是一个可行的计划，而不是什么不切实际的计谋。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào de shì yíge kěxíng de jìhuà, ér búshì shénme bù qiè shíjì de jì móu.
  • English: What we need is a feasible plan, not some unrealistic stratagem.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts a practical `计划` (jìhuà - plan) with a `计谋` that is seen as overly complicated or detached from reality.

A common mistake for learners is to use `计谋` for any kind of “plan.” This is incorrect.

• `计谋` vs. `计划 (jìhuà)`:
  • `计划 (jìhuà)` is a neutral, general-purpose “plan,” “project,” or “schedule.” It's what you use for your travel itinerary, your study schedule, or a company's budget plan.
  • `计谋` implies a layer of strategy, cleverness, or cunning, usually directed towards an objective involving another party (a competitor, an enemy, etc.).
  • Incorrect: `我周末的计谋是看电影和睡觉。` (My “stratagem” for the weekend is to watch movies and sleep.)
  • Correct: `我周末的计划是看电影和睡觉。` (My plan for the weekend is to watch movies and sleep.)
• `计谋` vs. `诡计 (guǐjì)`:
  • `诡计 (guǐjì)` means “treacherous plot” or “crafty trick.” It is almost always negative and implies deceit and malice.
  • `计谋` is a broader, more neutral term. A `计谋` can be brilliant and admirable (like in war or business) or it can be devious. A `诡计` is always devious.
  • Think of it this way: all `诡计` are a type of `计谋`, but not all `计谋` are `诡计`. Using `计谋` when something is clearly treacherous might understate its wickedness.

• 计划 (jìhuà) - A neutral “plan” or “project.” The most common word for a plan.
• 策略 (cèlüè) - “Strategy.” A more formal term than `计谋`, often used for high-level military, political, or business planning. It's less about a single clever trick and more about the overall approach.
• 诡计 (guǐjì) - A “treacherous plot” or “deceitful trick.” Strongly negative and implies malice.
• 阴谋 (yīnmóu) - A “conspiracy” or “plot.” Even more serious and negative than `诡计`, often involving a group of people plotting something harmful or illegal.
• 三十六计 (Sānshíliù Jì) - The Thirty-Six Stratagems. A famous collection of Chinese proverbs that describe various `计谋`.
• 孙子兵法 (Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ) - The Art of War. The foundational classic on Chinese military strategy and a source of much thinking about `计谋`.
• 手段 (shǒuduàn) - “Means,” “method,” or “tactic.” This word can be neutral, but often carries a slightly negative connotation that the means used were manipulative or ruthless.
• 方法 (fāngfǎ) - “Method” or “way.” A very neutral and general term for how to do something.