世故 shìgù the ways of the world
How to remember 世故: 世 world + 故 former = the ways of the world.
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How it is used
- The ways of the world; being worldly-wise, often shrewdly so - 他很世故 (tā hěn shìgù) he's very worldly/street-smart.
- As an adjective it often carries a faint negative edge: too calculating or slick in dealing with people.
- The phrase 人情世故 (rénqíng-shìgù, the ways of the world and human relationships) is where you meet it most.