手段 shǒuduàn method
method; way; means (of doing something); skill; ability; trick; wile
How to remember 手段: 手 hand + 段 piece = method.
Characters
How it is used
- A means/method to an end, often with a cool or calculating tone - 通过合法手段 (tōngguò héfǎ shǒuduàn) by legal means.
- Neutral as 'method/measure' (技术手段 technical means), but 耍手段 (shuǎ shǒuduàn) and 不择手段 (bù zé shǒuduàn, by any means, scruples aside) show its manipulative shade.
- Distinguish from 方法 (fāngfǎ, a neutral method/way): 手段 emphasizes it as a tool/tactic, sometimes underhanded.
Example sentences
- 语言是人们与他人交流的手段。 Yǔyán shì rénmen yǔ tārén jiāoliú de shǒuduàn.Language is the means by which people communicate with others.