以夷制夷 in English yi3 yi2 zhi4 yi2 Meaning

Meanings

  • to use foreigners to subdue foreigners (idiomatic expression); let the barbarians fight it out among themselves (traditional policy of successive dynasties)
  • Use Western science and technology to counter imperialist encroachment. (late Qing modernizing slogan)

Simplified Characters

以 夷 制 夷

Traditional Characters

以 夷 制 夷

Pinyin

yi3 yi2 zhi4 yi2

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

以yi3old variant of 以[yi3] 夷yi2non-Han people, esp. to the East of China 制zhi4system 夷yi2non-Han people, esp. to the East of China