打主意 (dǎ zhǔ yì) — to scheme, to devise a plan (often with a target in mind); to set one's sights on (someone or something), to try to obtain

Definition

A verb-object phrase meaning to scheme or cook up a plan, often with a specific target or self-serving goal. Often carries a slightly shady or calculating tone, unlike neutral 计划 jìhuà (plan/plan to).

verb
to schemeto devise a plan (often with a target in mind)to set one's sights on (someone or something)to try to obtain

Examples

  • 。
    Tā yì zhí zài dǎ nà ge zhí wèi de zhǔ yì.
    He's been scheming for that position all along.
  • ，。
    Nǐ bié dǎ wǒ de zhǔ yì, wǒ bú huì bāng nǐ de.
    Don't try to use me — I won't help you.
  • 。
    Tā men zhèng zài dǎ yí gè zhuàn qián de zhǔ yì.
    They're cooking up a plan to make money.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

打dǎdevise
主意plan
主zhǔopinion意yìidea
联合Side by side

打 expresses devising, while 主意 names a plan or idea.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng打dǎ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

打 uses 扌, a hand, to show an action done with the hand, and 丁 to give the sound.

Open 打 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.

Open 主 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 意 →

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