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激将法

激將法
jījiàngfǎ
noun #31,259

Meanings

  1. 1 the 'goading' technique — provoking someone (e.g. by questioning their ability) into doing what you want
  2. 2 reverse psychology

Examples

教练用激将法让队员发挥得更好。
Jiàoliàn yòng jījiàngfǎ ràng duìyuán fāhuī de gèng hǎo.
The coach used the goading technique to push his players to perform better.
别中了他的激将法。
Bié zhòng le tā de jījiàngfǎ.
Don't fall for his reverse-psychology trick.

Tips

history
Literally 'the technique (法) of goading (激) a general (将)' — it comes from classical Chinese military strategy, especially 《三国演义》 (Romance of the Three Kingdoms), where Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) repeatedly taunts proud rival generals like Zhou Yu (周瑜) into rash decisions. The trick: imply someone is too cowardly or incompetent to do X, and their pride makes them do X.
usage
Common in coaching, parenting and negotiation. The fixed verb is 用激将法 ('to use the goading technique'); the warning to its target is 别中激将法 ('don't fall for it').

Stroke Order

激 jī
将 jiāng
法 fǎ