# 运筹帷幄

yùn chóu wéi wò

Plan strategy with skill and foresight

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Devise plans inside the command tent

**Traditional Chinese:** 運籌帷幄

**Register:** Admiring · literary

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

## When to use it

Praise strategic coordination behind visible action.

Usually substantial planning, not every minor arrangement.

## Understanding the expression

A command tent separates strategic planning from the visible movement outside it. The expression praises someone who coordinates resources, anticipates difficulties, and chooses a course before action unfolds. Modern use extends to business, events, and other complex projects. The person need not stand at the front to influence the result. Effective planning still requires accurate information from those doing the work, so the phrase should not imply that distant authority alone produces success.

## Examples

她在后台运筹帷幄，让活动顺利进行。

### Traditional Chinese

她在後臺運籌帷幄，讓活動順利進行。

tā zài hòu tái yùn chóu wéi wò ， ràng huó dòng shùn lì jìn xíng 。

She coordinated strategy behind the scenes for a smooth event.

经理运筹帷幄，安排各地配送。

### Traditional Chinese

經理運籌帷幄，安排各地配送。

jīng lǐ yùn chóu wéi wò ， ān pái gè dì pèi sòng 。

The manager strategically coordinated deliveries across regions.

教练运筹帷幄，调整比赛部署。

### Traditional Chinese

教練運籌帷幄，調整比賽部署。

jiào liàn yùn chóu wéi wò ， tiáo zhěng bǐ sài bù shǔ 。

The coach planned and adjusted the match strategy.

他善于运筹帷幄，也愿意听现场意见。

### Traditional Chinese

他善於運籌帷幄，也願意聽現場意見。

tā shàn yú yùn chóu wéi wò ， yě yuàn yì tīng xiàn chǎng yì jiàn 。

He plans skillfully and listens to people on the ground.

## 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%81%8B%E7%B1%8C%E5%B8%B7%E5%B9%84)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=693&webMd=1&la=0)

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