ànsuàn: 暗算 - To Plot Against, Backstab, Scheme Secretly

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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.”

• 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.

• 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.