====== ànsuàn: 暗算 - To Plot Against, Backstab, Scheme Secretly ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** ansuan, 暗算, what does ansuan mean, Chinese backstab, plot against, scheme against, secret plot, Chinese betrayal, office politics Chinese, 陷害, 背后捅刀子
  * **Summary:** The Chinese term **暗算 (ànsuàn)** literally means "dark calculation" and refers to the act of secretly plotting or scheming to harm someone. It's a powerful word that captures the essence of a malicious, premeditated betrayal, often translated as "to backstab" or "to plot against." Understanding **ànsuàn** is key to grasping concepts of trust, betrayal, and conflict in both historical and modern Chinese contexts, from ancient court intrigue to contemporary office politics.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** ànsuàn
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6
  * **Concise Definition:** To secretly plot to harm somebody; to stab someone in the back.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a calculation done not on an abacus, but in the shadows. That's **暗算 (ànsuàn)**. It’s not just a simple betrayal; it’s a calculated, hidden plan designed to cause someone else to fail, get hurt, or fall into a trap. The core feeling is one of deliberate, concealed malice. It’s the move a villain in a story makes, not an open enemy.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **暗 (àn):** This character means "dark," "hidden," or "secret." Think of things done in the dark (黑暗 - hēi'àn) where no one can see.
  * **算 (suàn):** This character means "to calculate," "to count," or "to plan/scheme." It's the 'suàn' in 'calculate' (计算 - jìsuàn).
  * Together, **暗算 (ànsuàn)** paints a vivid picture: a "dark calculation" or a "secret scheme." The characters combine to mean plotting against someone where they can't see it coming—out of sight and with malicious intent.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
**暗算 (ànsuàn)** taps into a deep cultural theme in China regarding trust and conflict. While direct confrontation (正面冲突 - zhèngmiàn chōngtū) is often discouraged to preserve social harmony and "face" (面子 - miànzi), this can sometimes lead to conflicts going underground. **暗算** is the dark side of this indirectness.
In the West, "backstabbing" is a very close equivalent. However, **暗算** often carries a stronger connotation of premeditation and calculation. A "backstab" can sometimes feel impulsive, a betrayal in the heat of the moment. **暗算**, with its character **算 (suàn)**, emphasizes that a //plan// was involved. Someone sat down and //calculated// the best way to harm you secretly.
This concept is a cornerstone of Chinese historical dramas (宫斗剧 - gōngdòujù, "palace intrigue dramas"), where characters are constantly trying to **暗算** each other to climb the social ladder. It’s also deeply connected to the archetype of the **小人 (xiǎorén)**—a "small" or petty person who lacks moral integrity and resorts to such underhanded tactics instead of competing honorably.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**暗算 (ànsuàn)** is a serious accusation and is used in situations involving significant betrayal. It has a strong negative connotation and is generally used in more formal or literary contexts, though it's universally understood.
*** In Office Politics ***
This is one of the most common modern contexts for **暗算**. It describes a colleague who secretly undermines you to get a promotion, steals your idea, or makes you look bad in front of the boss.
> //“在职场上，你得小心被同事**暗算**。”//
> //(Zài zhíchǎng shàng, nǐ děi xiǎoxīn bèi tóngshì **ànsuàn**.)//
> //"In the workplace, you have to be careful of being backstabbed by colleagues."//
*** In Personal Relationships and Rivalries ***
It can be used for betrayals between friends, business partners, or rivals, where one party secretly acts against the other's interests. It implies a deep breach of trust.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 他万万没想到，自己最信任的伙伴会**暗算**他。
    * Pinyin: Tā wànwàn méi xiǎngdào, zìjǐ zuì xìnrèn de huǒbàn huì **ànsuàn** tā.
    * English: He never would have thought that his most trusted partner would plot against him.
    * Analysis: This sentence highlights the element of surprise and betrayal of trust, which is central to the meaning of **暗算**. The phrase `万万没想到 (wànwàn méi xiǎngdào)` emphasizes the shock.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 这位将军是被朝中的奸臣**暗算**了，才导致了战败。
    * Pinyin: Zhè wèi jiāngjūn shì bèi cháozhōng de jiānchén **ànsuàn** le, cái dǎozhì le zhànbài.
    * English: This general was plotted against by a treacherous minister in the court, which led to the defeat in battle.
    * Analysis: A classic example from a historical context. **暗算** here refers to political intrigue and sabotage. Note the passive structure `被...暗算 (bèi...ànsuàn)`, meaning "to be plotted against by...".
  * **Example 3:**
    * 为了得到那个职位，他不惜**暗算**自己的朋友。
    * Pinyin: Wèile dédào nàge zhíwèi, tā bùxī **ànsuàn** zìjǐ de péngyǒu.
    * English: In order to get that position, he didn't hesitate to scheme against his own friend.
    * Analysis: This shows the motivation behind the **暗算**—personal gain. The phrase `不惜 (bùxī)` means "to not shrink from" or "to not hesitate to," emphasizing the person's ruthlessness.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 小心点，我感觉他正在计划着什么，想要**暗算**我们。
    * Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn diǎn, wǒ gǎnjué tā zhèngzài jìhuà zhe shénme, xiǎng yào **ànsuàn** wǒmen.
    * English: Be careful, I have a feeling he's planning something and wants to plot against us.
    * Analysis: This shows **暗算** being used to describe a suspected, future action. It conveys a sense of paranoia and mistrust.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 这部电影的情节充满了背叛和**暗算**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng de qíngjié chōngmǎn le bèipàn hé **ànsuàn**.
    * English: The plot of this movie is full of betrayal and secret schemes.
    * Analysis: Here, **暗算** is used as a noun, meaning "a secret plot" or "scheming." It works alongside `背叛 (bèipàn)` (betrayal) to describe the themes of a story.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 你这种在背后**暗算**别人的行为真是太可耻了！
    * Pinyin: Nǐ zhè zhǒng zài bèihòu **ànsuàn** biérén de xíngwéi zhēnshi tài kěchǐ le!
    * English: This kind of behavior of yours, backstabbing people behind their backs, is truly shameless!
    * Analysis: A sentence of direct accusation. The phrase `在背后 (zài bèihòu)` (behind someone's back) is often paired with **暗算** to emphasize its secretive nature.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他在商业谈判中被人**暗算**，损失了一大笔钱。
    * Pinyin: Tā zài shāngyè tánpàn zhōng bèi rén **ànsuàn**, sǔnshī le yī dà bǐ qián.
    * English: He was secretly schemed against during a business negotiation and lost a large sum of money.
    * Analysis: This example places **暗算** in a modern business context, where the "harm" is financial.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 与其**暗算**对手，不如凭自己的真本事去赢。
    * Pinyin: Yǔqí **ànsuàn** duìshǒu, bùrú píng zìjǐ de zhēn běnshì qù yíng.
    * English: Rather than plotting against your opponent, it's better to win based on your own real abilities.
    * Analysis: This sentence sets up a moral contrast, positioning **暗算** as the dishonorable path compared to fair competition (`真本事 - zhēn běnshì`).
  * **Example 9:**
    * 他为人正直，绝不会做**暗算**他人的事。
    * Pinyin: Tā wéirén zhèngzhí, jué bù huì zuò **ànsuàn** tārén de shì.
    * English: He is a person of integrity and would absolutely never do something like plot against others.
    * Analysis: This describes a character by stating what they //don't// do, using **暗算** as a benchmark for immoral behavior.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 历史上，很多英雄都死于小人的**暗算**之下。
    * Pinyin: Lìshǐ shàng, hěnduō yīngxióng dōu sǐ yú xiǎorén de **ànsuàn** zhī xià.
    * English: In history, many heroes have died as a result of the schemes of petty people.
    * Analysis: This connects **暗算** directly to the cultural concept of the `小人 (xiǎorén)`. **暗算** is used as a noun here, "the act of plotting."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Mistake 1: Using it for a positive surprise.**
    * A learner might think "secret plan" could mean planning a surprise party. This is incorrect. **暗算** is **100% negative and malicious**. A secret, positive plan would be described differently, e.g., `秘密地准备一个惊喜 (mìmì de zhǔnbèi yīgè jīngxǐ)`.
  * **Mistake 2: Confusing it with general deception.**
    * **暗算 (ànsuàn)** vs. **欺骗 (qīpiàn) - to deceive/cheat**: `欺骗` is broader. Lying about your age is `欺骗`, but it's not `暗算`. `暗算` specifically involves a //plan to cause harm or disadvantage//. You can deceive someone without necessarily wanting to ruin them; you cannot **暗算** someone without that malicious intent.
  * **Mistake 3: Confusing it with `算计 (suànjì)`.**
    * **算计 (suànjì)** means "to calculate" or "to scheme." It can be negative, implying scheming for personal gain, but it can be less severe than **暗算**. For example, a street vendor might `算计` you to overcharge you by a small amount. **暗算** implies a much more serious plot, like getting you fired, ruining your reputation, or causing you significant loss. **暗算** is a plot; **算计** is often just petty scheming.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[陷害]] (xiànhài) - To frame, to set someone up. Very similar to **暗算**, but often implies fabricating evidence to make someone look guilty.
  * [[背后捅刀子]] (bèihòu tǒng dāozi) - A vivid and colloquial idiom literally meaning "to stab a knife in the back." It's the informal, conversational equivalent of the more literary **暗算**.
  * [[出卖]] (chūmài) - To betray, to sell out. This focuses on the act of breaking trust, especially by giving away secrets or siding with an enemy. **暗算** is a specific //way// of betraying someone.
  * [[阴谋]] (yīnmóu) - Conspiracy, plot. This is usually a noun for the scheme itself. **暗算** is often the verb of carrying out the `阴谋` against a person.
  * [[诡计]] (guǐjì) - A trick, a crafty scheme. A `诡计` might be a clever tactic used in a game or war, not always as personally malicious as an **暗算**.
  * [[小人]] (xiǎorén) - A petty or vile person; a person of low character. This is the //type// of person who engages in **暗算** and other underhanded behaviors. Antonym: [[君子]] (jūnzǐ) - a gentleman, a person of noble character.