突袭 means 'surprise attack' — a sudden, unexpected offensive action launched without warning. The first character 突 (tū) conveys 'suddenness', 'bursting forth', or 'breaking through', while 袭 (xí) means 'to attack' or 'to assault', often with stealth or intensity. Together, they emphasize the element of surprise and forceful initiation — not just any attack, but one that catches the target off guard. This term is commonly used in military, strategic, or competitive contexts, but also appears metaphorically in everyday speech.

In addition to literal warfare, 突袭 frequently describes swift, unplanned actions in nature (e.g., predators ambushing prey), sports (e.g., a fast break in basketball), or even business (e.g., an unexpected product launch). It carries a neutral-to-negative connotation depending on context — it’s factual rather than inherently moral, but implies imbalance of preparation or advantage gained through timing. Native speakers often pair it with verbs like 发动 (fādòng, 'to launch'), 遭到 (zāodào, 'to suffer'), or 进行 (jìnxíng, 'to carry out').