# 锦囊妙计

jǐn náng miào jì

An ingenious plan ready to solve a difficulty

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A clever plan in a brocade pouch

**Traditional Chinese:** 錦囊妙計

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe a resourceful solution or prepared strategy.

Often playful; no literal pouch required.

## Understanding the expression

A valuable plan is imagined as something carefully stored and available when difficulty arrives. The brocade pouch makes the solution feel special, while the ingenuity lies in how well it answers the problem. Modern speakers often use the expression playfully for a practical tip or a clever workaround. The phrase praises suitability rather than secrecy alone. A surprising idea is useful only if it actually fits the situation and can be carried out.

## Examples

她有锦囊妙计，能让排队更快。

### Traditional Chinese

她有錦囊妙計，能讓排隊更快。

tā yǒu jǐn náng miào jì ， néng ràng pái duì gèng kuài 。

She has an ingenious plan to speed up the queue.

教练在中场拿出了锦囊妙计。

### Traditional Chinese

教練在中場拿出了錦囊妙計。

jiào liàn zài zhōng chǎng ná chū le jǐn náng miào jì 。

The coach produced a clever strategy at halftime.

请给我一个省时的锦囊妙计。

### Traditional Chinese

請給我一個省時的錦囊妙計。

qǐng gěi wǒ yí gè shěng shí de jǐn náng miào jì 。

Please give me a clever tip for saving time.

这个锦囊妙计利用了现有工具。

### Traditional Chinese

這個錦囊妙計利用了現有工具。

zhè ge jǐn náng miào jì lì yòng le xiàn yǒu gōng jù 。

This ingenious solution used tools already available.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%8C%A6%E5%9B%8A%E5%A6%99%E8%A8%88)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=979&webMd=1&la=0)

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- [咎由自取 jiù yóu zì qǔ Bring trouble upon oneself ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jiu-you-zi-qu)

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