tàolù: 套路 - Trick, Routine, Script, Playbook

Keywords: 套路, tàolù, taolu, what does taolu mean, Chinese word for trick, Chinese slang taolu, dating routine china, sales script china, playbook in Chinese, cliché in Chinese, Chinese social script.

Summary: “套路” (tàolù) is a popular and versatile Chinese term that literally means a “set routine” or “path.” Originally used for martial arts forms, it has evolved into a common slang word describing a predictable script, trick, or playbook used to manipulate or persuade someone. Whether you're navigating modern dating, dealing with a clever salesperson, or just watching a cliché movie plot unfold, understanding “tàolù” is key to grasping the nuances of insincerity and strategy in modern Chinese communication.

Pinyin (with tone marks): tàolù

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: A pre-established routine, script, or pattern of behavior, often used to trick, persuade, or manipulate someone.

In a Nutshell: Imagine someone following a “playbook” to get what they want. That's a 套路. It started as a term for a sequence of moves in kung fu, but now it's mostly used to call out predictable and often insincere actions in social life. When someone says, “That's such a tàolù,” they mean, “I see what you're doing; you're just following a cheap, unoriginal script, and I'm not falling for it.” It implies a lack of genuine feeling and an over-reliance on a formula.

套 (tào): This character's original meaning is a cover, case, or sheath. By extension, it means a “set” of things that go together, like a set of books or a suit of clothes. Think of it as a pre-packaged container for actions.

路 (lù): This character simply means “road,” “path,” or “way.” It's the path you walk on.

Combined Meaning: Together, 套路 (tàolù) literally translates to a “set path” or a “pre-packaged routine.” This beautifully captures the idea of a fixed sequence of actions that one follows, just like walking down a pre-determined road.

The widespread use of “套路” in modern China, especially among younger generations, reflects a growing social awareness and a healthy dose of cynicism. In a world saturated with marketing, formulaic entertainment, and online dating apps, people have become adept at recognizing predictable, manipulative patterns.

Comparison to a Western Concept: A good Western parallel is the concept of “having game” or “running a play” in dating, or a “sales script” in business. However, “套路” is broader and often more negative. While “having game” might imply a certain skill or charm, “套路” almost always points to the *unoriginality* and *insincerity* of the act. It's less about being smooth and more about being a copycat. Calling someone out for their “tàolù” is a way of saying, “You're not being real with me; you're just using a tired old trick you learned somewhere else.” It champions authenticity by calling out its opposite.

Dating and Relationships (Negative): This is one of the most common contexts. It refers to cheesy pick-up lines, predictable compliments, or a sequence of “romantic” gestures that feel calculated rather than heartfelt.

Business and Sales (Negative/Neutral): This describes a salesperson's scripted pitch, a company's high-pressure tactics, or the fine print in a contract designed to trap you. It's the predictable, often annoying, process they put every customer through.

Joking and Banter (Playful): Friends might playfully accuse each other of using a “tàolù” when one of them uses a predictable excuse or tells the same old story. Here, the connotation is lighthearted.

Media and Entertainment (Neutral/Negative): It's used to describe a cliché plot twist, a formulaic story structure, or a predictable character arc in a movie or TV show. “The whole movie was full of tàolù.”

Formal/Original Meaning (Neutral): In more formal or technical contexts, it can still mean a standard procedure, a method, or a martial arts form, without any negative connotation. For example, “a problem-solving tàolù” (a standard method for solving a problem).

Connotation is Key: The default modern meaning of “tàolù” is negative or cynical. It implies something is fake, manipulative, or unoriginal. Only in specific, formal contexts (like business strategy or martial arts) does it carry a neutral meaning. When in doubt, assume it has a negative flavor.

忽悠 (hūyou) - (Verb) To dupe, to trick, to sweet-talk. This is the action that a “tàolù” is often used to perform.

老套 (lǎotào) - (Adjective) Cliché, old-fashioned, stereotyped. Very similar to the adjectival use of “tàolù” when describing a movie plot or a corny joke.

花招 (huāzhāo) - A flashy trick, a gimmick. It's similar to “tàolù” but emphasizes the showy, deceptive, and often superficial nature of the trick.

心机 (xīnjī) - Scheming, calculating, having a hidden agenda. This describes the personality of a person who frequently uses “tàolù.” A “person with xīnjī” (有心机的人) is someone you can't trust.

计谋 (jìmóu) - Stratagem, scheme. A much more formal and serious word than “tàolù.” It's used for military strategy or complex business plots, like in Sun Tzu's “Art of War.”

招数 (zhāoshù) - A move, a specific tactic. You can think of a “zhāoshù” as a single move within a larger “tàolù” (playbook).

骗局 (piànjú) - A scam, a swindle, a hoax. This is much stronger and more severe than “tàolù.” A “piànjú” is an outright crime intended to defraud, while a “tàolù” can be as minor as a cheesy pick-up line.

真诚 (zhēnchéng) - Sincere, genuine. This is the direct antonym to the feeling of “tàolù.” People use “tàolù” because they lack “zhēnchéng.”