心机 (xīn jī) — (noun) scheming; cunning calculations; (noun) ulterior motives; craftiness

Definition

Examples

• 她这个人很有心机，跟人相处总是算计来算计去。
  Tā zhè ge rén hěn yǒu xīn jī, gēn rén xiāng chǔ zǒng shì suàn jì lái suàn jì qù.
  She's a very calculating person; she's always scheming when dealing with others.
• 不要跟他玩心机，你根本不是他的对手。
  Bú yào gēn tā wán xīn jī, nǐ gēn běn bú shì tā de duì shǒu.
  Don't play mind games with him; you're no match for him at all.
• 他这个人没什么心机，说话做事都很直。
  Tā zhè ge rén méi shén me xīn jī, shuō huà zuò shì dōu hěn zhí.
  He's not someone with ulterior motives; he's straightforward in speech and action.

Origin