Chinese word

绝招

Pronunciation

Pinyinjué zhāo

Meaning

  • nounsecret weapon

Example

关键时刻她就会亮出绝招。guān jiàn shí kè tā jiù huì liàng chū jué zhāo

At the crucial moment, she pulls out her secret weapon.

Illustration for 绝招 (secret weapon)

More examples

谈判桌上，他突然祭出绝招，对方很快让步。tán pàn zhuō shàng tā tū rán jì chū jué zhāo duì fāng hěn kuài ràng bù

At the negotiating table, he suddenly deployed his secret weapon, and the other side quickly gave in.

Core concept

A reserved skill or method kept hidden until a crucial moment, when it can change the result.

Common phrases

  • 亮出绝招liàng chū jué zhāo

    reveal one's secret weapon

  • 祭出绝招jì chū jué zhāo

    deploy one's secret weapon

  • 展示绝招zhǎn shì jué zhāo

    show one's signature move

Similar words

绝技jué jì: A remarkable technique performed with such skill that others hold it in high regard.
绝活jué huó: A well-practiced personal skill or performance piece that is especially worth showing.
杀手锏shā shóu jiǎn: A secret and powerful means kept in reserve to secure victory or force a result.
王牌wáng pái: A trusted top asset or person relied on most in a competition or difficult situation.

Definition in Chinese

隐藏的、拿手且能在关键时刻奏效的技巧或方法。yǐn cáng de ná shǒu qiě néng zài guān jiàn shí kè zòu xiào de jì qiǎo huò fāng fǎ

Word origin

绝 (jué, "ultimate") + 招 (zhāo, "move") forms a compound for an exceptionally effective move held back for the right moment.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a literal weapon, this casual noun often refers to a person's standout skill or a clever solution, which makes it natural in everyday talk about handling a difficult situation.

Other meanings

  • trump cardnoun
  • decisive movenoun
  • signature movenoun

Opposites

  • 常规方法cháng guī fāng fǎconventional methodnoun
  • 寻常手段xún cháng shǒu duànordinary meansnoun

Word lists with this word