偷袭

tōuxí: 偷袭 - Sneak Attack, Ambush, Raid

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn the meaning of 偷袭 (tōuxí), a common Chinese word for a “sneak attack” or “ambush.” This page explores its use in military contexts, modern gaming culture, and as a metaphor for backstabbing or unfair tactics in daily life. Understand the cultural nuances of 偷袭 (tōuxí) and how it contrasts with the idea of an open, honorable confrontation.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): tōuxí
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 6
  • Concise Definition: To launch a surprise attack, raid, or ambush.
  • In a Nutshell: 偷袭 (tōuxí) is more than just an attack; it's an attack defined by its stealth and deception. The core feeling is one of unfairness and cowardice because the target is unprepared. It implies breaking the “rules” of a fair fight, whether in war, a game, or a verbal argument.

Character Breakdown

  • 偷 (tōu): The primary meaning of this character is “to steal.” It carries the strong sense of taking something secretly or without permission.
  • 袭 (xí): This character means “to attack” or “to raid,” often implying a surprise element.
  • When combined, 偷袭 (tōuxí) literally means a “stolen attack.” This paints a vivid picture of an attack that is conducted with the stealth of a thief, catching the victim completely off-guard.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 偷袭 (tōuxí) is deeply connected to Chinese strategic thinking, famously articulated in Sun Tzu's The Art of War (孙子兵法, Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ), where deception is a cornerstone of victory. In a military context, a successful 偷袭 can be seen as brilliant strategy.
  • However, in personal and social contexts, it has a strong negative moral judgment. It is the direct opposite of being 光明正大 (guāngmíngzhèngdà), which means “open, just, and honorable.” Accusing someone of 偷袭 in an argument is to accuse them of being a cowardly backstabber.
  • Comparison to Western Culture: The English word “ambush” is a close tactical equivalent. However, 偷袭 (tōuxí) often carries a heavier moral weight, similar to a “sucker punch” or a “cheap shot.” While an “ambush” in a war movie might be cheered as clever, a 偷袭 in a social setting is always condemned as dishonorable. It violates the cultural value of fairness (公平, gōngpíng).

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Military and History: This is the most literal usage, describing historical events or military tactics. E.g., The attack on Pearl Harbor is often described as a 偷袭.
  • Gaming (游戏): Extremely common. Used to describe “ganking” (when multiple players ambush a lone player) or any kind of surprise attack on an unsuspecting opponent in games like League of Legends (英雄联盟) or PUBG (绝地求生).
  • Sports (体育): Can be used to describe a clever, surprising play that catches the opponent off guard, like a quick steal in basketball. Here, the connotation can be more neutral or even positive, highlighting cleverness.
  • Figurative & Interpersonal: This is a crucial use for learners. It can describe a verbal “attack” or a difficult question you weren't expecting in a meeting. It's also used for office politics and backstabbing. For example, “He 偷袭-ed me by telling the boss about my mistake behind my back.”

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 敌人趁着夜色偷袭了我们的营地。
    • Pinyin: Dírén chènzhe yèsè tōuxíle wǒmen de yíngdì.
    • English: The enemy took advantage of the night to launch a sneak attack on our camp.
    • Analysis: This is the classic, literal military usage of the term.
  • Example 2:
    • 在游戏里，我最讨厌别人从背后偷袭。
    • Pinyin: Zài yóuxì lǐ, wǒ zuì tǎoyàn biérén cóng bèihòu tōuxí.
    • English: In video games, I hate it when people sneak attack me from behind.
    • Analysis: A very common sentence you'd hear among young people in China. It perfectly illustrates the “gaming” context.
  • Example 3:
    • 他在会议上突然问我那个难题，简直就是一种偷袭。
    • Pinyin: Tā zài huìyì shàng tūrán wèn wǒ nàge nán tí, jiǎnzhí jiùshì yī zhǒng tōuxí.
    • English: He suddenly asked me that difficult question in the meeting; it was basically a sneak attack.
    • Analysis: Here, 偷袭 is used figuratively to describe an unfair verbal or social tactic. Note that it is used as a noun here: “一种偷袭” (a type of sneak attack).
  • Example 4:
    • 小心点，我感觉对手可能会偷袭我们的后方。
    • Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn diǎn, wǒ gǎnjué duìshǒu kěnéng huì tōuxí wǒmen de hòufāng.
    • English: Be careful, I have a feeling the opponent might try to raid our rear.
    • Analysis: This shows 偷袭 used as a warning, highlighting the element of anticipation and prevention.
  • Example 5:
    • 日本对珍珠港的偷袭是二战的转折点之一。
    • Pinyin: Rìběn duì Zhēnzhūgǎng de tōuxí shì Èrzhàn de zhuǎnzhédiǎn zhī yī.
    • English: Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor was one of the turning points of WWII.
    • Analysis: A common historical example. Again, 偷袭 is used as a noun here: “the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.”
  • Example 6:
    • 篮球比赛最后几秒，他偷袭成功，抢断并投篮得分。
    • Pinyin: Lánqiú bǐsài zuìhòu jǐ miǎo, tā tōuxí chénggōng, qiǎngduàn bìng tóulán dé fēn.
    • English: In the last few seconds of the basketball game, he succeeded in a surprise move, stealing the ball and scoring.
    • Analysis: This is an example from sports where the connotation is less negative and more about being quick-witted and skillful.
  • Example 7:
    • 你不应该在背后偷袭你的朋友，那太不光明正大了。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ bù yīnggāi zài bèihòu tōuxí nǐ de péngyǒu, nà tài bù guāngmíngzhèngdà le.
    • English: You shouldn't backstab your friends like that, it's so dishonorable.
    • Analysis: This directly contrasts 偷袭 with its antonym, 光明正大 (guāngmíngzhèngdà), highlighting the moral dimension.
  • Example 8:
    • 趁老板不注意，他偷袭了冰箱里的一块蛋糕。
    • Pinyin: Chèn lǎobǎn bù zhùyì, tā tōuxí le bīngxiāng lǐ de yī kuài dàngāo.
    • English: While the boss wasn't looking, he sneak-attacked a piece of cake from the fridge.
    • Analysis: A humorous and informal usage. The “attack” is on the cake, but the stealthy, “stealing” nature of 偷袭 makes it a funny word choice.
  • Example 9:
    • 游击队擅长用偷袭战术来对付装备精良的敌军。
    • Pinyin: Yóujīduì shàncháng yòng tōuxí zhànshù lái duìfù zhuāngbèi jīngliáng de díjūn.
    • English: The guerrilla fighters are skilled at using sneak attack tactics to deal with the well-equipped enemy forces.
    • Analysis: This shows 偷袭 as part of a larger strategy: “偷袭战术” (sneak attack tactics).
  • Example 10:
    • 这次考试的最后一道题完全超出了范围，感觉被老师偷袭了。
    • Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì de zuìhòu yī dào tí wánquán chāochū le fànwéi, gǎnjué bèi lǎoshī tōuxí le.
    • English: The last question on this exam was completely out of scope; I feel like I was ambushed by the teacher.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the passive voice with “被 (bèi)”. The student feels like the victim of an unfair surprise from the teacher.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • False Friends: 偷袭 (tōuxí) vs. 埋伏 (máifú)
    • 埋伏 (máifú) means “to ambush” in the sense of “to lie in wait.” It is the preparation for an attack.
    • 偷袭 (tōuxí) is the action of the surprise attack itself.
    • You can say: 我们埋伏在这里，等他们过来再偷袭。(Wǒmen máifú zài zhèlǐ, děng tāmen guòlái zài tōuxí.) - We will lie in wait here, and when they come over, we will launch a sneak attack.
  • Common Mistake: Using 偷袭 for an open attack.
    • 偷袭 requires the element of surprise and stealth. You cannot use it to describe a declared battle or a challenge that both parties expect.
    • Incorrect: 两个拳击手在擂台上互相偷袭。 (Liǎng ge quánjī shǒu zài lèitái shàng hùxiāng tōuxí.)
    • Why it's wrong: A boxing match is, by definition, an open and agreed-upon fight. While a single punch might be a “sucker punch,” the overall action is 攻击 (gōngjī) or 对打 (duìdǎ), not 偷袭.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 埋伏 (máifú) - To lie in wait, to set an ambush. The act of hiding and waiting before a 偷袭.
  • 突袭 (tūxí) - A sudden attack or raid. Similar to 偷袭, but emphasizes speed and suddenness (突) more than stealth (偷). It can feel less “cowardly.”
  • 暗算 (ànsuàn) - To plot against someone in secret, to backstab. More about scheming, betrayal, and intrigue rather than a physical attack.
  • 攻击 (gōngjī) - To attack. This is a general, neutral term for any kind of attack, whether a surprise or an open one.
  • 光明正大 (guāngmíngzhèngdà) - An idiom meaning open, honorable, and aboveboard. The direct antonym of the feeling of 偷袭.
  • 出其不意 (chūqíbùyì) - An idiom meaning “to catch sb by surprise” or “to do sth when least expected.” Describes the effect of a 偷袭.
  • 打黑枪 (dǎ hēiqiāng) - Lit. “to fire a black gun.” A very colloquial term for backstabbing or launching a sneak attack, especially in a social or political context.