Japanese meaning of 虚々実々
Reading:
きょきょじつじつ (kyokyo jitsujitsu)
English Translation:
Feints and real moves in strategy
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
A dance of feints and real moves—strategic probing mixed with genuine actions.
Cultural Context:
Stock phrase in political reporting and negotiation analysis: “虚々実々の攻防.”
虚と実を織り交ぜた駆け引き。探り合いと本手が交錯する状況。
政治報道・交渉解説での決まり文句「虚々実々の攻防」。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase for feint and reality in tactics; often with “の駆け引き.”
Trap for English Speakers
May be mistaken as purely dishonest.
Example
Basic Example
両者の交渉は虚々実々の駆け引きだった。
The negotiation between the two was a mixture of feints and real moves.
Applied Example
二人の剣士は虚々実々の攻防を繰り広げ、観客を熱狂させた。
The two swordsmen engaged in a battle of feints and real moves in strategy, thrilling the crowd.