tactic
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tactic / strategy
A planned approach for achieving a specific goal, especially in the military, in sports, or in business.
Die Fußballmannschaft überraschte den Gegner mit einer neuen Taktik.
The football team surprised their opponent with a new tactic.
tactic
A clever or cunning approach used to achieve a personal goal in a social situation.
Es war nur eine Taktik, um ihn dazu zu bringen, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
It was just a tactic to get him to tell the truth.
The word family includes the adjective 'taktisch' (tactical; cleverly planned) and the noun 'der Taktiker' (a tactician, a person who can think well tactically). If you know 'Taktik' (tactic), you can understand these words more easily.
Sein taktisches Vorgehen bei der Verhandlung war sehr beeindruckend.
His tactical approach in the negotiation was very impressive.
The goal of a tactic is often described with an infinitive construction using 'um ... zu' (in order to ...). This construction explains what the tactic is meant to achieve.
Sie wählte die Taktik, lange zu schweigen, um ihn nervös zu machen.
She chose the tactic of remaining silent for a long time in order to make him nervous.
In the context of sports, the military, or business, 'Taktik' (tactic) is often combined with certain verbs: eine Taktik entwickeln (to develop a tactic), eine Taktik anwenden (to use a tactic), die Taktik ändern (to change the tactic), or eine Taktik verfolgen (to pursue a tactic).
Der Trainer entwickelte für das Finale eine komplett neue Taktik.
The coach developed a completely new tactic for the final.
When 'Taktik' (tactic) is used in a personal, everyday conversation, it often has the meaning of a cunning approach. It can then have a slightly negative or manipulative undertone.
Sein plötzliches Lob war reine Taktik, um mich zu überzeugen.
His sudden praise was pure tactic to convince me.
strategy
Strategie is the broader, usually long-term plan for achieving a goal. Taktik is the specific planned approach in an individual situation and can be part of the strategy. Use Strategie for the long-term direction and Taktik for the next action.
Unsere Taktik für die heutige Verhandlung ist ein günstiges Einstiegsangebot.
Our tactic for today’s negotiation is to make an attractive opening offer.
Unsere Strategie ist, innerhalb von fünf Jahren neue Märkte zu gewinnen.
Our strategy is to enter new markets within five years.
