Meaning of 手段
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- method; way; means (of doing sth)
- skill; ability
- trick; wile
How to use 手段
手段 often refers to the means used to reach a goal, and it frequently carries a negative tone of tricks or schemes, as in 不择手段 (bù zé shǒuduàn, by any means necessary). It can also be neutral or even praise someone's skill. Example: 他用了很多手段才拿到这个合同。(Tā yòng le hěn duō shǒuduàn cái ná dào zhège hétong.) He used a lot of tactics to get this contract.
手 (shǒu) is the hand, and 段 (duàn) means a section or stage. Think of 手段 as the steps your hand takes to get something done, which is your method or means.
Common mistake: Learners often use 手段 where 方法 (fāngfǎ) fits better, such as for a study method. 学习手段 can sound like you are scheming, so say 学习方法 instead. Also note 段 is fourth tone (duàn), not third.
手段 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
手 shǒu · hand · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
段 duàn · paragraph · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Related words
Words that share a character with 手段.
| 手机 | shǒujī | cell phone; mobile phone |
| 洗手间 | xǐshǒujiān | toilet; lavatory |
| 手表 | shǒubiǎo | wristwatch |
| 举手 | jǔshǒu | to raise a hand; to put up one's hand (as signal) |
| 手指 | shǒuzhǐ | finger |
| 对手 | duìshǒu | opponent; rival |
| 选手 | xuǎnshǒu | athlete; contestant |
| 歌手 | gēshǒu | singer |
| 握手 | wòshǒu | to shake hands |
| 手续 | shǒuxù | procedure; formalities |
| 分手 | fēnshǒu | to part company; to split up |
| 手术 | shǒushù | (surgical) operation; surgery |
Questions about 手段
What does 手段 mean?
手段 (shǒuduàn) means "method; way; means (of doing sth); skill; ability" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 手段?
手段 is made of 2 characters: 手 (4 strokes), 段 (9 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 手段 an HSK word?
Yes. 手段 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Is 手段 a negative word?
Not always, but it often is. Phrases like 耍手段 (shuǎ shǒuduàn, to play tricks) are clearly negative, while 有手段 can mean someone is capable and resourceful. Context and tone decide the meaning.
What is the difference between 手段 and 办法?
办法 (bànfǎ) is an everyday word for a way to solve a problem, as in 没办法 (no way, nothing can be done). 手段 is more formal and focuses on the means or tactics used to reach a goal, often with a hint of strategy or manipulation.