Keywords: touxi, tōuxí, 偷袭, Chinese sneak attack, ambush in Chinese, raid in Chinese, Chinese surprise attack, what does touxi mean, backstab Chinese, military strategy Chinese, gaming terms Chinese
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.
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).
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.
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.