奇兵

qíbīng

noun #22,738

Measure Word

一支奇兵 zhī

Meanings

1 surprise troops
2 unconventional forces used in ambush or raids
3 wild card force

Characters

unusual / unconventional / surprise

soldier / troops / weapon

Examples

HSK 7-9

将军派出一支奇兵从侧翼突袭敌人。

Jiāngjūn pàichū yì zhī qíbīng cóng cèyì tūxí dírén.

The general sent a surprise force to attack the enemy from the flank.

HSK 7-9

这支球队是本届比赛中的一匹黑马，可谓一支奇兵。

Zhè zhī qiúduì shì běnjiè bǐsài zhōng de yì pǐ hēimǎ, kěwèi yì zhī qíbīng.

This team was the dark horse of the tournament - a true surprise force.

Tips

usage

奇兵 comes from classical military strategy. 奇 here means 'unconventional / surprise' (as opposed to 正 'regular / orthodox'). The pairing 正奇 (orthodox and surprise tactics) is a core concept in Sun Tzu's 'Art of War'.

Stroke Order

奇 qí

兵 bīng