Chinese word

世故

Pronunciation

Pinyinshì gù

Meaning

  • adjectiveworldly-wise

Example

他很世故，应付事情很有办法。tā hěn shì gù yìng fù shì qíng hěn yǒu bàn fǎ

He is very worldly-wise and knows how to handle things.

Illustration for 世故 (worldly-wise)

More examples

虽然看起来年纪小，但为人世故。suī rán kàn qǐ lái nián jì xiǎo dàn wéi rén shì gù

Although he looks young, he is worldly-wise.

Core concept

Practical know-how for reading people, managing relationships, and finding a way through difficult situations.

Common phrases

  • 为人世故wéi rén shì gù

    be streetwise

  • 显得世故xiǎn de shì gù

    seem streetwise

Similar words

老练lǎo liàn: Having polished skills and responses developed through long experience.
练达liàn dá: Being well versed in worldly affairs and skilled at handling matters.
老成lǎo chéng: Showing the calm, steady manner and judgment that come with experience.
圆滑yuán huá: Using smooth, tactful words and behavior to keep social situations agreeable.

Definition in Chinese

在社会交往和处事方面经验丰富，办事老练，善于应对复杂局面。zài shè huì jiāo wǎng hé chǔ shì fāng miàn jīng yàn fēng fù bàn shì lǎo liàn shàn yú yìng duì fù zá jú miàn

Word origin

The compound 世故 (shìgù, "worldly affairs") joins the social world with accumulated knowledge of how things are done.

Usage tips

  • The word can sound admiring when it describes mature social skill, but it can also suggest that someone is too calculating or too smooth, so the surrounding tone matters.

Other meanings

  • streetwiseadjective
  • social savvynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word