声东击西 feigning an attack on the east while attacking the west
Explanation
声东击西是指制造声势,让人以为你要攻击东边,实际上却攻击西边,是一种兵法上的策略,用来迷惑敌人,出奇制胜。
Sheng Dong Ji Xi refers to creating a diversionary tactic, making people think you are going to attack the east, but actually attacking the west. It is a strategy in military tactics used to deceive the enemy and achieve a surprise victory.
Origin Story
战国时期,齐国大将田忌与魏国大将庞涓在桂陵交战。庞涓以多于齐军数倍的兵力包围了齐军,田忌却并不慌张,他命令军士在军营里埋锅造饭,张灯结彩,营造出一副准备休整的样子,然后派人假装向西边逃跑,引诱庞涓追赶。庞涓中计,率领主力部队追赶田忌,结果却中了田忌的埋伏,被齐军打得大败。这就是历史上著名的“声东击西”战役,也成为了后人学习兵法的经典案例。
During the Warring States Period in China, Tian Ji, a general from the Kingdom of Qi, clashed with Pang Juan, a general from the Kingdom of Wei, at Gui Ling. Pang Juan surrounded Tian Ji's army with a force several times larger, but Tian Ji was not flustered. He ordered his soldiers to build fires, cook, and hang lanterns in their camp, creating the impression that they were preparing to rest. He then sent soldiers to feign a retreat westward, luring Pang Juan into pursuit. Pang Juan fell for the bait and led his main force in pursuit of Tian Ji, only to fall into Tian Ji's ambush and be defeated decisively by Qi's army. This is the famous battle of Gui Ling in history, also known as “Shēng Dōng Jī Xī” (attacking the west while feigning an attack on the east), and a classic example of warfare studied by later generations.
Usage
声东击西是一个常用的兵法策略,也常常用来比喻做事情的策略。
Sheng Dong Ji Xi is a commonly used military strategy, and is also often used to describe strategies in general.
Examples
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为了取得胜利,他决定采用声东击西的战术,迷惑敌人。
wei le qu de sheng li, ta jue ding cai yong sheng dong ji xi de zhan shu, mi huo di ren.
In order to achieve victory, he decided to use the tactic of attacking the west while feigning an attack on the east, to confuse the enemy.
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谈判中,他声东击西,转移了话题,最终达成协议。
tan pan zhong, ta sheng dong ji xi, zhuan yi le hua ti, zui zhong da cheng xie yi.
During the negotiation, he made a feint attack on the east to divert the topic, and finally reached an agreement.
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学习的时候,也要声东击西,抓住重点,才能事半功倍。
xue xi de shi hou, ye yao sheng dong ji xi, zhua zhu zhong dian, cai neng shi ban gong bei.
When studying, you should also make a feint attack on the east, focus on the key points, and you can get twice the results with half the effort.