B2 adjective 3 min read

战略性

zhànlüèxìng

Explanation of 战略性 at your level:

At this level, you can think of strategic as 'having a plan.' If you have a game, you have a plan to win. That is strategic. You use it to talk about smart choices.

You use strategic when you want to say something is done on purpose to reach a goal. For example, 'It was a strategic choice to sit at the front of the class.'

At this level, you start using strategic in business or school contexts. It means looking at the future. You might say, 'We need a strategic plan to finish this project on time.'

You can use strategic to describe complex situations. It implies you are considering risks and benefits. It is a great word to use in meetings or formal writing to show you are thinking deeply.

At the C1 level, you use strategic to discuss high-level concepts. You might talk about 'strategic advantage' or 'strategic depth.' It shows you understand how to navigate competitive environments effectively.

Mastery of this word involves using it in nuanced ways, such as 'strategic silence' or 'strategic ambiguity.' It reflects a deep understanding of how planning and timing influence outcomes in politics, literature, and history.

战略性 in 30 Seconds

  • Strategic means having a long-term plan.
  • It comes from the Greek word for general.
  • It is an adjective, not a noun.
  • Use it to describe smart, goal-oriented actions.

When you hear the word strategic, think of a chess player. They aren't just moving pieces randomly; they are thinking three steps ahead to win the game. Being strategic means you are acting with a clear, long-term purpose in mind.

In everyday life, you might make a strategic decision to study a specific subject because you know it will help you get into your dream college. It is all about connecting your current actions to your future success. It is a powerful word because it implies intelligence, foresight, and careful planning.

The word strategic comes from the Greek word strategos, which means 'general' or 'leader of an army.' Historically, it was strictly used in military contexts to describe the art of planning and directing large-scale campaigns.

Over time, the word moved out of the battlefield and into the boardroom and our daily lives. By the 20th century, it became common to talk about strategic planning in business and strategic partnerships in politics. It is fascinating how a word once reserved for generals is now used by students and small business owners alike!

You will most often hear strategic paired with nouns like planning, decision, or partnership. It is a formal word, so you are more likely to use it in a professional email or an academic essay than when texting your best friend about what to have for dinner.

If you want to sound professional, use it to describe how you solve problems. For example, 'We took a strategic approach to the budget' sounds much more impressive than 'We planned the budget carefully.' It adds a layer of sophistication to your communication.

While 'strategic' itself isn't always in an idiom, it is related to concepts like 'The long game', which means playing for a future win. Another related concept is 'Think outside the box', which is a strategic way to solve problems creatively.

You might also hear 'Strategic move' used as a standalone phrase to describe a clever action. Or, someone might say 'Big picture thinking' to describe the same mindset. Finally, 'Playing your cards right' is an idiomatic way of saying you are being strategic with your resources.

The word strategic is an adjective. Its adverb form is strategically. The stress falls on the second syllable: stra-TE-gic. It rhymes loosely with 'magic' or 'tragic' in its ending sound.

In British and American English, the pronunciation is quite similar, though Americans often use a 'flap t' sound in the middle. Remember that it is a base adjective, so it doesn't have a plural form. You simply place it before the noun you are describing, like 'a strategic plan'.

Fun Fact

It evolved from military leadership to corporate success.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /strəˈtiːdʒɪk/

Clear 't' sound.

US /strəˈtiːdʒɪk/

Flap 't' often used.

Common Errors

  • Misplacing the stress
  • Pronouncing 'g' as 'j'
  • Adding extra syllables

Rhymes With

magic tragic pelagic analogic logic

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Common in news

Writing 3/5

Useful for essays

Speaking 2/5

Good for professional talk

Listening 2/5

Common in media

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Learn Next

Strategy Tactical Methodical

Advanced

Foresight Imperative

Grammar to Know

Adjective placement

Strategic plan

Noun vs Adjective

Strategy vs Strategic

Adverbs

Strategically

Examples by Level

1

I have a strategic plan.

I have a smart plan.

Adjective + Noun

2

It is a strategic game.

It is a game of skill.

Adjective + Noun

3

She is very strategic.

She plans well.

Linking verb

4

We need a strategic move.

We need a smart step.

Adjective + Noun

5

He is a strategic thinker.

He thinks ahead.

Adjective + Noun

6

This is a strategic spot.

A good location.

Adjective + Noun

7

Make a strategic choice.

Choose wisely.

Imperative

8

The goal is strategic.

The goal is planned.

Adjective

1

The team made a strategic decision.

2

We need a strategic approach to this.

3

He is a strategic player.

4

This is a strategic location for the shop.

5

They have a strategic partnership.

6

She is very strategic about her time.

7

It was a strategic error.

8

We need a strategic vision.

1

The company is undergoing a strategic review.

2

They are planning a strategic expansion.

3

We must consider the strategic implications.

4

He has a strategic advantage in the market.

5

The city has a strategic importance.

6

She took a strategic pause before answering.

7

The government developed a strategic policy.

8

We need to align our strategic goals.

1

The CEO outlined a new strategic direction.

2

They formed a strategic alliance with the competitor.

3

It was a strategic withdrawal from the project.

4

We need to be more strategic in our marketing.

5

The move was purely strategic.

6

He is known for his strategic thinking.

7

The project requires a strategic investment.

8

They are focusing on strategic growth.

1

The general emphasized the strategic necessity of the position.

2

They engaged in strategic planning for the next decade.

3

Her silence was a strategic choice.

4

The company's strategic pivot saved them.

5

They are analyzing the strategic landscape.

6

It was a masterclass in strategic maneuvering.

7

The policy had long-term strategic benefits.

8

They are evaluating the strategic risks.

1

The diplomat employed a strategic ambiguity to maintain peace.

2

The strategic depth of the defense network was impressive.

3

They engaged in a strategic dialogue regarding trade.

4

The strategic imperative was clear to all members.

5

His strategic foresight prevented a crisis.

6

They adopted a strategic posture in the negotiations.

7

The strategic alignment of the departments was essential.

8

It was a strategic masterpiece of diplomacy.

Common Collocations

strategic plan
strategic decision
strategic partnership
strategic advantage
strategic approach
strategic goal
strategic importance
strategic thinking
strategic move
strategic vision

Idioms & Expressions

1

"The long game"

Planning for the long-term future

He is playing the long game here.

neutral
2

"Think outside the box"

Creative problem solving

We need to think outside the box.

neutral
3

"Play your cards right"

Using resources wisely

If you play your cards right, you will win.

casual
4

"Big picture"

The overall situation

Look at the big picture.

neutral
5

"A step ahead"

Being better prepared

She is always a step ahead.

neutral

Easily Confused

战略性 vs Tactical

Both relate to planning

Strategic is long-term; tactical is short-term

Strategic vision vs tactical move.

战略性 vs Strategy

Same root

Noun vs Adjective

The strategy is strategic.

战略性 vs Methodical

Both mean organized

Methodical is about order; strategic is about goals

Methodical worker vs strategic thinker.

战略性 vs Calculated

Both imply planning

Calculated often implies caution or risk

Calculated risk vs strategic plan.

Sentence Patterns

A2

Subject + is + strategic

His move was strategic.

B1

Subject + made + a + strategic + decision

She made a strategic decision.

B1

Subject + uses + a + strategic + approach

We use a strategic approach.

B2

It + is + strategic + to + verb

It is strategic to wait.

C1

With + a + strategic + mindset

With a strategic mindset, he won.

Word Family

Nouns

strategy The plan itself

Verbs

strategize To make a plan

Adjectives

strategic Relating to the plan

Related

strategist A person who creates strategies

How to Use It

frequency

8

Formality Scale

Academic Business Neutral Casual

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Imagine a general on a map.
💡

Work Context

Use it in your next meeting.
🌍

Business Speak

It's a buzzword in corporate.
💡

Adjective Rule

Always before a noun.
💡

Stress

Hit the 'TE' hard.
💡

Noun vs Adj

Strategy = noun, Strategic = adj.
💡

Greek Roots

From 'General'.
💡

Flashcards

Pair with 'plan'.
💡

Essay Tip

Use it to describe methods.
💡

Sounding Smart

Use it instead of 'planned'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

STRATEGY = STReet + A + TEam + GYm. A team in the gym planning a street game.

Visual Association

A chess board with a lightbulb above it.

Word Web

Planning Goal Success Future Decision

Challenge

Describe a goal you have and explain your strategic plan to reach it.

Word Origin

Greek

Original meaning: General of an army

Cultural Context

None

Common in corporate and political environments.

Sun Tzu's The Art of War Business strategy books

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

  • Strategic planning
  • Strategic goals
  • Strategic review

In sports

  • Strategic play
  • Strategic defense
  • Strategic move

In school

  • Strategic study
  • Strategic reading
  • Strategic thinking

In politics

  • Strategic alliance
  • Strategic partnership
  • Strategic interest

Conversation Starters

"What is your strategic plan for this year?"

"Do you consider yourself a strategic thinker?"

"Why is it important to be strategic in business?"

"Can you give an example of a strategic decision you made?"

"How does being strategic help in daily life?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you used a strategic approach to solve a problem.

What are your strategic goals for the next five years?

Describe someone you know who is very strategic.

How can you be more strategic in your learning?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions
Not exactly. Strategic implies planning, while smart can mean many things.
It might sound a bit formal, but yes.
Strategically.
Yes, it usually implies intelligence.
stra-TE-gic.
Less common, usually in work contexts.
Strategy.
No, it is an adjective.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

He has a ___ plan to win.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: strategic

Strategic fits the idea of a plan.

multiple choice A2

What does strategic mean?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Having a smart plan

It relates to planning.

true false B1

Strategic is a noun.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is an adjective.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

They are related but have different scopes.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Subject + verb + adjective + noun.

Score: /5

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