空城计

空城計

kōngchéngjì

idiom #64,914

Meanings

1 the empty-city stratagem
2 a bluff made from a position of weakness
3 to mask a vulnerability with a show of confidence

Characters

stratagem; plan

Examples

库存告急，老板只好唱空城计。

Kùcún gàojí, lǎobǎn zhǐhǎo chàng kōngchéngjì.

With inventory almost gone, the boss had no choice but to put on a brave face.

公司资金不足，只能靠空城计撑下去。

Gōngsī zījīn bùzú, zhǐ néng kào kōngchéngjì chēng xiàqù.

Short on cash, the company was running on pure bluff.

他的底气其实不足，全是空城计。

Tā de dǐqì qíshí bùzú, quán shì kōngchéngjì.

He has nothing to back it up — it's all an empty-city act.

Tips

history

From 《三国演义》: with the city of Xicheng undefended and Sima Yi's army approaching, Zhuge Liang throws the gates open and sits calmly on the wall playing the zither. Sima Yi, suspecting an ambush, retreats. The perfect bluff has carried the name ever since.

usage

Often 唱空城计 ('to play the empty-city stratagem') — to fake strength you don't have.

In Pop Culture

三国演义 Sānguó Yǎnyì

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Ming-dynasty novel where Zhuge Liang's empty-city gambit against Sima Yi became the signature moment of Chinese military trickery.

Stroke Order

空 kōng

城 chéng

计 jì