知己知彼
zhī jǐ zhī bǐ
know yourself and know the other side
Character by character
知zhī
know
know
己jǐ
yourself
yourself
知zhī
know
know
彼bǐ
the other
the other
Example
谈判以前要做好调查，知己知彼。
Do your research before negotiating: know yourself and know the other side.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
《孙子兵法·谋攻》: 知彼知己，百战不殆. Today the order is usually 知己知彼.
Learn this in Lesson 109 · HSK 7–9: 商务沟通 (Business talk and business email)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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