bù zé shǒu duàn: 不择手段 - Unscrupulous, By Any Means Necessary

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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.

• 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.

• 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.