bù zé shǒu duàn: 不择手段 - Unscrupulous, By Any Means Necessary [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

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====== bù zé shǒu duàn: 不择手段 - Unscrupulous, By Any Means Necessary ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 不择手段, bù zé shǒu duàn, Chinese idiom, chengyu, unscrupulous, by any means necessary, stop at nothing, immoral tactics, ruthless Chinese, achieve a goal at any cost, Chinese business ethics, HSK 6
  * **Summary:** Learn the powerful Chinese idiom **不择手段 (bù zé shǒu duàn)**, which means "unscrupulous" or "by any means necessary." This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage with over 10 example sentences. Understand why this term is a strong moral condemnation in Chinese culture, describing someone who will stop at nothing—including immoral or illegal tactics—to achieve their goal.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** bù zé shǒu duàn
  * **Part of Speech:** Chengyu (Idiom) / Adverbial Phrase
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6
  * **Concise Definition:** To use any means whatsoever, without regard for morality or consequence, to achieve a goal.
  * **In a Nutshell:** This isn't about being clever or resourceful. **不择手段 (bù zé shǒu duàn)** describes someone who has completely abandoned their moral compass to win. Imagine a business rival who lies, steals your ideas, and spreads false rumors to ruin your company. That person is acting **不择手段**. The term carries a heavy, negative judgment and is used to condemn ruthless and unethical behavior.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **不 (bù):** A negative prefix, meaning "not" or "no."
  * **择 (zé):** To choose, select, or pick.
  * **手 (shǒu):** Hand.
  * **段 (duàn):** A section, part, or method.
When combined, **手段 (shǒuduàn)** means "method," "tactic," or "means." It can be neutral, but often carries a negative connotation of a "trick" or "scheme." Therefore, the entire idiom **不择手段 (bù zé shǒu duàn)** literally translates to "not choosing the means." This vividly paints a picture of someone who doesn't pause to consider whether their methods are good or bad, fair or foul; they simply use any tool available to them to get what they want.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, which is deeply influenced by Confucian values of righteousness (义, yì) and integrity (信, xìn), acting **不择手段** is a serious moral transgression. It signifies a complete disregard for social harmony and ethical conduct in the pursuit of personal gain.
A useful Western comparison is the phrase "the ends justify the means." However, there's a key difference. In Western philosophy, "the ends justify the means" can be a topic of neutral debate (e.g., in utilitarianism). In contrast, **不择手段** is almost never used neutrally. It is a direct and harsh criticism. To say someone is **不择手段** is to label them as ruthless, immoral, and untrustworthy. It's an accusation, not a philosophical observation. This term stands in direct opposition to the ideal of the **君子 (jūnzǐ)**, the "noble person" or "gentleman," who is expected to adhere to a strict moral code regardless of the situation.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
This idiom is frequently used in a variety of contexts to describe cutthroat and unethical behavior. It is a formal Chengyu but is widely understood and used in everyday conversation to make a strong point.
  * **Business:** Describing a competitor who engages in industrial espionage, spreads malicious rumors, or uses illegal methods to gain market share.
  * **Politics:** Used to criticize a politician who uses smear campaigns, bribes, or deception to win an election or consolidate power.
  * **Media and Fiction:** A common descriptor for the villain in a TV drama, movie, or novel. The character who will betray friends, family, and principles to achieve their ambition is the one who acts **不择手段**.
  * **Personal Relationships:** In a more dramatic sense, it could describe someone who lies and manipulates others to break up a couple or secure a promotion over a colleague.
The connotation is always strongly negative. There is no situation where acting **不择手段** is seen as a positive trait.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 为了得到那个职位，他竟然**不择手段**，甚至陷害了他的同事。
    * Pinyin: Wèile dédào nàge zhíwèi, tā jìngrán **bù zé shǒu duàn**, shènzhì xiànhài le tā de tóngshì.
    * English: In order to get that position, he was unscrupulous and even framed his colleague.
    * Analysis: This is a classic example of using the term to describe ruthless workplace ambition. The word `竟然 (jìngrán)` emphasizes the shocking and unexpected nature of his immoral actions.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 这家公司为了垄断市场，**不择手段**地打压竞争对手。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī wèile lǒngduàn shìchǎng, **bù zé shǒu duàn** de dǎyā jìngzhēng duìshǒu.
    * English: To monopolize the market, this company unscrupulously suppresses its competitors.
    * Analysis: The particle `地 (de)` is used here to turn the idiom into an adverb modifying the verb `打压 (dǎyā)`, meaning "to suppress."
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 历史上有许多为了权力而**不择手段**的统治者。
    * Pinyin: Lìshǐ shàng yǒu xǔduō wèile quánlì ér **bù zé shǒu duàn** de tǒngzhìzhě.
    * English: Throughout history, there have been many rulers who were unscrupulous for the sake of power.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom to describe a type of person (a ruler). The structure `为了...而...` means "in order to... (do something)."
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 我警告你，不要为了成功就**不择手段**，否则你会失去所有的朋友。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ jǐnggào nǐ, bùyào wèile chénggōng jiù **bù zé shǒu duàn**, fǒuzé nǐ huì shīqù suǒyǒu de péngyǒu.
    * English: I'm warning you, don't be unscrupulous just to succeed, or else you will lose all your friends.
    * Analysis: This example is a piece of advice or a warning, highlighting the negative social consequences of this kind of behavior.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 在那个年代，生存竞争非常激烈，有些人为了活下去不得不**不择手段**。
    * Pinyin: Zài nàge niándài, shēngcún jìngzhēng fēicháng jīliè, yǒuxiē rén wèile huó xiàqù bùdébù **bù zé shǒu duàn**.
    * English: In that era, the competition for survival was incredibly fierce, and some people had no choice but to be unscrupulous to stay alive.
    * Analysis: This sentence provides a mitigating context. While still negative, the phrase `不得不 (bùdébù)`—"have no choice but to"—suggests that the actions were born of desperation rather than pure evil. The moral judgment is slightly softened.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 那个电视剧里的反派角色是个**不择手段**的商人。
    * Pinyin: Nàge diànshìjù lǐ de fǎnpài juésè shì ge **bù zé shǒu duàn** de shāngrén.
    * English: The villain in that TV drama is an unscrupulous businessman.
    * Analysis: A very common usage, applying the idiom as an adjective to describe a character.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 他追求财富的方式简直是**不择手段**。
    * Pinyin: Tā zhuīqiú cáifù de fāngshì jiǎnzhí shì **bù zé shǒu duàn**.
    * English: His way of pursuing wealth is simply unscrupulous.
    * Analysis: The phrase `简直是 (jiǎnzhí shì)` means "is simply..." or "is practically...," adding emphasis to the speaker's condemnation.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 如果你用**不择手段**的方式赢了，你也不会感到真正的快乐。
    * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ yòng **bù zé shǒu duàn** de fāngshì yíng le, nǐ yě bù huì gǎndào zhēnzhèng de kuàilè.
    * English: If you win by unscrupulous means, you won't feel true happiness.
    * Analysis: This sentence reflects on the psychological and moral emptiness of a victory achieved unethically.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 他这个人为了达到目的，什么事都做得出来，真是**不择手段**。
    * Pinyin: Tā zhège rén wèile dádào mùdì, shénme shì dōu zuò de chūlái, zhēnshì **bù zé shǒu duàn**.
    * English: To achieve his goals, this person is capable of anything; he's truly unscrupulous.
    * Analysis: The phrase `什么事都做得出来 (shénme shì dōu zuò de chūlái)` is a colloquial way to say "is capable of doing anything (bad)." It perfectly explains the meaning of **不择手段** in context.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 我们要通过正当的渠道竞争，绝不能**不择手段**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen yào tōngguò zhèngdàng de qúdào jìngzhēng, jué bùnéng **bù zé shǒu duàn**.
    * English: We must compete through proper channels and must absolutely not be unscrupulous.
    * Analysis: This sets up a clear contrast between the right way (`正当的渠道`, proper channels) and the wrong way (`不择手段`). The term `绝不 (jué bù)` means "absolutely not," making the prohibition emphatic.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Not the same as "Resourceful":** A common mistake for learners is to confuse **不择手段** with being resourceful (`足智多谋, zúzhìduōmóu`) or determined. Resourcefulness and determination are positive traits. **不择手段** is a negative trait defined by its lack of a moral bottom line. A determined athlete "does whatever it takes" by training harder; a person who is **不择手段** "does whatever it takes" by sabotaging their opponent.
  * **Always Negative:** Unlike the English phrase "by any means necessary," which can sometimes be used to imply gritty determination (especially in contexts like social movements or survival), **不择手段** is 100% negative in modern usage. It is an insult and a criticism. Using it to describe someone you admire would be a serious error.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[无所不用其极]] (wú suǒ bù yòng qí jí) - A very close synonym, meaning "to stop at nothing" or "to go to any extreme." It is equally negative and often interchangeable with **不择手段**.
  * [[为达目的]] (wèi dá mùdì) - "In order to achieve the goal." This phrase itself is neutral, but it very often precedes **不择手段** to set up the motivation for the immoral action (e.g., `为达目的，不择手段`).
  * [[不计后果]] (bù jì hòuguǒ) - To act without considering the consequences. This describes a common characteristic of someone who is **不择手段**.
  * [[弄虚作假]] (nòng xū zuò jiǎ) - To practice fraud or use deception. This is a specific *type* of unscrupulous method.
  * [[尔虞我诈]] (ěr yú wǒ zhà) - "You cheat, I trick." An idiom describing a world filled with mutual deception, which is the perfect environment for **不择手段** behavior to thrive.
  * **ANTONYM:** [[光明磊落]] (guāngmíng lěiluò) - Open, honest, and straightforward; aboveboard. This is the complete moral opposite of **不择手段**.
  * **ANTONYM:** [[循规蹈矩]] (xún guī dǎo jǔ) - To follow the rules and regulations meticulously; to be conventional. This describes someone who would never dare to act **不择手段**.