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手段 (shǒu duàn) — (neutral) method, means, strategy; (often negative) trick, tactic, ploy

Definition

手段 covers both neutral 'method/means' and a negative sense 'trick/ploy' (unfair tactics). It is broader and often more strategic than 办法 or 方法; 策略 and 战略 are planned, large-scale strategy rather than a single move.

noun
(neutral) methodmeansstrategy(often negative) tricktacticploy
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 手段。
    Jiě jué wèn tí xū yào yǒu xiào de shǒu duàn.
    Solving problems requires effective methods.
  • 手段。
    Tā yòng le bú zhèng dāng de shǒu duàn lái dá chéng mù biāo.
    He used improper means to achieve his goal.
  • 手段。
    Zhè shì yí gè cháng jiàn de xiāo shòu shǒu duàn.
    This is a common sales tactic.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

手shǒuhand; skill
段duànsection; way

“手 (“skill”) narrows “段 (“way”) into a method.

Characters in this word

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

手 draws a five-fingered human hand: the top line is a bent middle finger, and the horizontal lines show the other four fingers.

Open 手 →

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
殳殳shū
Sound part声符shēngfú
厂
厂chǎng段duàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

段's shape shows 殳 as a hammer breaking a stone, with fragments flying off.

Open 段 →
Appears in
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