招数

• Pinyin: zhāo shù
• Hanzi breakdown: 招 = 扌 + 召 (beckoning move); 数 = 米 + 女 + 攵 (counting/technique)

Meaning

Move; trick; tactic; stratagem. A technique or method, especially in martial arts or competition.

Originally martial arts moves, now extended to any clever technique or tactic. Collocations: 使出招数 (use a trick), 新招数 (new trick), 花招/花招数 (fancy tricks). Can be positive (clever) or negative (sneaky).

Examples

1. 他在商业谈判中使出了各种招数来争取最好的条件。 In business negotiations, he used every tactic he could to secure the best terms.
2. 这位武术大师的招数变化莫测，令对手防不胜防。 This martial arts master’s moves are unpredictable, leaving opponents with no way to guard against them.
3. 销售员用尽招数也没能说服这位顾客购买。 The salesperson tried every trick in the book but still couldn’t persuade the customer to buy.

Usage Guide

Context: martial arts, business, competition

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 对方的招数我们都已摸清，这次比赛胜券在握。(We have figured out all of the opponent's moves; we are confident of winning this competition.)
• 他总是能想出新招数来解决看似棘手的问题。(He can always come up with new tricks to solve seemingly thorny problems.)

Don't Say

• 学习招数 — for studying techniques use 学习技巧 or 练习招式; 招数 emphasizes application

Origin & History

招 (move/gesture) + 数 (number/technique)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal