harming others for one's personal benefit (idiom); personal gain to the detriment of others
HSK 7, unknown, rank #57063, Very Hard
sǔnrénlìjǐ(sun3ren2li4ji3) T3
1harming others for one's personal benefit (idiom); personal gain to the detriment of others
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March 24, 2026
损人利己(損人利己)sǔnrénlìjǐ(sun3ren2li4ji3)
The idiom 损人利己 (sǔn rén lì jǐ) describes a behavior where one harms others to benefit oneself. It is often used to criticize selfish actions that disregard the well-being of others in pursuit of personal gain, emphasizing moral implications in social interactions.
Frequency#57063DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of community and collective well-being is highly valued, making actions that 损人利己 particularly frowned upon. This idiom reflects the importance of harmony and mutual support in social relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (人) standing on top of a pile of fallen comrades (损), smiling as they reap the benefits (利) all for themselves (己). The visual of someone climbing up while others fall captures the essence of this phrase.
Meanings of 损人利己
sǔnrénlìjǐ(sun3ren2li4ji3)
1harming others for one's personal benefit (idiom); personal gain to the detriment of others
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About 损人利己
损人利己Simplified
損人利己Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 损人利己
Podcast: 损人利己
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AI Study Notes for 损人利己
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person (人) standing on top of a pile of fallen comrades (损), smiling as they reap the benefits (利) all for themselves (己). The visual of someone climbing up while others fall captures the essence of this phrase.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using this idiom, as it carries a strong negative connotation. It is typically used in formal contexts, such as discussions of ethics in business or personal relationships. Avoid mixing it with positive expressions, as it solely reflects selfishness.
HSK Study Tips
Though not an HSK vocabulary item, understanding 损人利己 can enhance comprehension of HSK Level 5 texts where ethical dilemmas may arise. Focus on recognizing the context in which this idiom is used, especially in discussions of morality.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of community and collective well-being is highly valued, making actions that 损人利己 particularly frowned upon. This idiom reflects the importance of harmony and mutual support in social relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 损人利己 with more neutral phrases about competition. For example, saying '他在比赛中损人利己' (He is competing in the competition by harming others) misrepresents the competitive nature. A better sentence would be '他在比赛中非常自私' (He is very selfish in the competition).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 损人利己
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Cultural Notes for 损人利己
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of community and collective well-being is highly valued, making actions that 损人利己 particularly frowned upon. This idiom reflects the importance of harmony and mutual support in social relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions about 损人利己
Not exactly. While competition can be healthy, 损人利己 implies that someone is actively harming others for their own gain, which is a stronger moral judgment.
Yes, it is often employed in discussions about unethical business practices where one party benefits at the expense of others.
Yes, expressions like 'self-serving' or 'cutthroat' convey similar meanings, though the cultural implications may vary.
