# 投其所好

tóu qí suǒ hào

Appeal to someone's particular preferences

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Aim at what the person likes

**Register:** Practical · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe tailoring a gift or approach to someone's tastes.

Can be thoughtful or manipulative depending on motive.

## Understanding the expression

The expression points an action toward something a particular person enjoys. A gift may match a friend's hobby, or a sales pitch may emphasize a customer's interests. The attention can be generous, practical, or calculated. It does not necessarily imply flattery or dishonesty. Context should reveal whether the adaptation helps a genuine relationship or exploits a weakness, since knowing a preference is morally different from using it to pressure someone into an unwanted choice.

## Examples

她投其所好，送了朋友一本植物书。

### Traditional Chinese

她投其所好，送了朋友一本植物書。

tā tóu qí suǒ hào ， sòng le péng yǒu yì běn zhí wù shū 。

She chose a plant book to suit her friend's interests.

推销员投其所好，专谈摄影。

### Traditional Chinese

推銷員投其所好，專談攝影。

tuī xiāo yuán tóu qí suǒ hào ， zhuān tán shè yǐng 。

The salesperson focused on photography to appeal to his interests.

送礼不必昂贵，投其所好更重要。

### Traditional Chinese

送禮不必昂貴，投其所好更重要。

sòng lǐ bú bì áng guì ， tóu qí suǒ hào gèng zhòng yào 。

A fitting gift matters more than an expensive one.

骗子投其所好，用收藏品引他上钩。

### Traditional Chinese

騙子投其所好，用收藏品引他上鉤。

piàn zi tóu qí suǒ hào ， yòng shōu cáng pǐn yǐn tā shàng gōu 。

The scammer used collectibles to appeal to his tastes and trap him.

## 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=%E6%8A%95%E5%85%B6%E6%89%80%E5%A5%BD)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=637&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [投桃报李 tóu táo bào lǐ Return a kindness ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tou-tao-bao-li)

- [推心置腹 tuī xīn zhì fù Speak with complete sincerity ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tui-xin-zhi-fu)

- [完璧归赵 wán bì guī zhào Return something intact to its owner ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wan-bi-gui-zhao)

- [忘恩负义 wàng ēn fù yì Betray someone who has helped you ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-en-fu-yi)

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