‘游说’ (yóu shuì) is a formal verb meaning ‘to lobby’ or ‘to persuade’, especially in political, diplomatic, or business contexts. The first character 游 (yóu) originally means ‘to wander’ or ‘to travel’, suggesting movement between parties or places; the second character 说 (shuì) here is pronounced with the fourth tone (not the more common shuō) and specifically means ‘to persuade’ or ‘to convince’. Together, they evoke the image of someone traveling to different groups or decision-makers to advocate for a position—historically, it referred to strategists in ancient China who traveled among warring states to sway rulers.

Today, ‘游说’ is used almost exclusively in written or formal spoken Chinese—such as news reports, policy discussions, or academic writing—and carries a connotation of skilled, deliberate influence. It is not used in casual conversation. Unlike general verbs like ‘说服’ (to convince), ‘游说’ implies systematic, often professional advocacy targeting influential people or institutions.