奏效

• Pinyin: zòu xiào
• Hanzi breakdown: 奏 = 天 + 廾 (present to superior); 效 = 交 + 攴 (effect/imitate)

Meaning

To take effect; to work; to yield the desired result. Said of a method, medicine, measure, or strategy.

Used when a plan, treatment, or intervention produces the intended outcome. Frequently appears in medical, political, and management contexts. The opposite is 无效 or 不奏效.

Examples

1. 经过数月的谈判，外交斡旋终于开始奏效，双方达成了初步协议。 After months of negotiations, the diplomatic mediation finally began to take effect, and the two sides reached a preliminary agreement.
2. 这套新的教学方法在提高学生参与度方面已经明显奏效。 This new teaching method has already produced clear results in boosting student engagement.
3. 医生调整了用药方案，新的治疗方案在短期内便开始奏效。 The doctor adjusted the medication plan, and the new treatment started to take effect within a short time.

Usage Guide

Context: medicine, politics, management, education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 政府出台的一系列调控措施已逐步奏效，房价涨幅明显收窄。(The series of regulatory measures introduced by the government have gradually taken effect, with the rate of housing price increases noticeably narrowing.)
• 经过半年的市场推广，新品牌策略开始奏效，销售额环比增长了三成。(After six months of market promotion, the new brand strategy began to take effect, with monthly sales increasing by 30%.)

Don't Say

• 这个笑话奏效了 — for informal social situations use 起作用 or 有效果; 奏效 suits formal measures and interventions, not casual contexts

Origin & History

奏 (present/produce) + 效 (effect/result)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal