千方百计
qiān fāng bǎi jì
By all means
Wörtlich: Thousand (千) directions (方) hundred (百) plans (计)
In 15 Sekunden
- Trying every possible method to achieve a specific goal.
- Combines 'thousand ways' and 'hundred plans' for maximum emphasis.
- Used as an adverbial phrase before a main action verb.
Bedeutung
This phrase describes someone putting in an incredible amount of effort. It means trying every single trick, plan, and strategy you can think of to reach a goal.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Describing a dedicated teacher
老师千方百计地提高学生的成绩。
The teacher tried every possible way to improve the students' grades.
A business crisis meeting
我们要千方百计地挽回公司的损失。
We must do everything in our power to recover the company's losses.
Texting about a sold-out concert
我正千方百计地买周杰伦的演唱会门票！
I am trying every trick in the book to get Jay Chou tickets!
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase originates from the Song Dynasty, specifically in the writings of Zhu Xi. It highlights the traditional Chinese value of 'ren' (endurance) and the belief that any obstacle can be overcome with enough ingenuity. Using large numbers like 1,000 and 100 is a classic rhetorical device in ancient Chinese to emphasize totality.
The 'De' Particle
In modern Chinese, you'll often see `地` (de) after the phrase to link it to the verb. It makes your sentence flow much more naturally.
Don't overdo it
If the task is too easy, using this phrase makes you sound like you are being dramatic or making fun of the situation.
In 15 Sekunden
- Trying every possible method to achieve a specific goal.
- Combines 'thousand ways' and 'hundred plans' for maximum emphasis.
- Used as an adverbial phrase before a main action verb.
What It Means
Think of a person who just won't quit. They have a goal. They try Plan A. It fails. They try Plan B. It fails too. They keep going until they hit Plan Z. That is 千方百计. It literally means using a thousand methods and a hundred schemes. It shows intense determination. It is about being resourceful and relentless.
How To Use It
You usually put this phrase before a verb. It acts like a powerful adverb. For example, you can say 千方百计地帮助他. This means you did everything humanly possible to help him. You don't just 'try.' You exhaust every single option. It often follows the subject of your sentence.
When To Use It
Use this when the effort is truly massive. Use it when someone is being super creative to solve a problem. It fits perfectly in business meetings. It works when talking about a difficult project. You can use it to describe a hero in a movie. It also works for personal goals, like losing weight or learning a language.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for easy tasks. If you just bought milk, don't use it. It sounds sarcastic if the task is tiny. Avoid it if the 'plans' are actually evil or illegal. In those cases, other idioms fit better. Also, don't use it as a standalone exclamation. It needs a verb to give it life.
Cultural Background
This idiom comes from old Chinese literature. It reflects a culture that prizes perseverance. In Chinese history, overcoming odds through strategy is highly respected. The numbers 'thousand' and 'hundred' aren't literal. They just mean 'a lot' in Chinese culture. It shows that wisdom and hard work go hand-in-hand.
Common Variations
You might hear 想方设法. That one is very similar. However, 千方百计 feels more intense. It has more 'weight' because of the big numbers. Another one is 尽心竭力, but that is more about heart. 千方百计 is specifically about the 'plans' and 'methods' you use.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is highly versatile across all registers. Just remember that it emphasizes the 'variety' of attempts rather than just the 'strength' of the effort.
The 'De' Particle
In modern Chinese, you'll often see `地` (de) after the phrase to link it to the verb. It makes your sentence flow much more naturally.
Don't overdo it
If the task is too easy, using this phrase makes you sound like you are being dramatic or making fun of the situation.
The Power of Numbers
Chinese idioms love using '1,000' and '100' to show scale. It's almost never a literal count, just a way to say 'infinite' or 'maximum'.
Beispiele
6老师千方百计地提高学生的成绩。
The teacher tried every possible way to improve the students' grades.
Shows the teacher's devotion and variety of teaching methods.
我们要千方百计地挽回公司的损失。
We must do everything in our power to recover the company's losses.
Used here to show professional determination and urgency.
我正千方百计地买周杰伦的演唱会门票！
I am trying every trick in the book to get Jay Chou tickets!
Hyperbolic and relatable for modern fans.
我的猫千方百计地想偷吃桌上的鱼。
My cat is plotting a thousand ways to steal the fish on the table.
Adds a funny, dramatic flair to a common pet behavior.
别担心，我会千方百计地帮你渡过难关。
Don't worry, I will do whatever it takes to help you through this.
Conveys deep loyalty and commitment.
政府千方百计地增加农民的收入。
The government is using all means to increase farmers' income.
Standard usage in formal news or government documents.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence about someone trying to fix a broken phone.
为了修好这部手机，他___寻找零件。
Searching for parts requires different methods and efforts, making '千方百计' the perfect fit.
Which verb naturally follows the phrase in this context?
骗子___地骗取老人的钱财。
Scammers use many different schemes, so '千方百计' describes their calculated effort.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Spectrum of 'By All Means'
Using it for daily small struggles.
Trying to find lost keys.
Standard daily or work use.
Trying to finish a project.
Official speeches or news reports.
National economic strategies.
When to use 千方百计
Job Hunting
Applying to 100 companies.
Parenting
Getting a toddler to eat broccoli.
Gaming
Beating a level 99 boss.
Dating
Planning the perfect proposal.
Aufgabensammlung
2 Aufgaben为了修好这部手机，他___寻找零件。
Searching for parts requires different methods and efforts, making '千方百计' the perfect fit.
骗子___地骗取老人的钱财。
Scammers use many different schemes, so '千方百计' describes their calculated effort.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is generally neutral. It can be positive, like a doctor 千方百计 saving a patient, or negative, like a thief 千方百计 trying to break in.
Only if it's really hard to find what you need! If you go to five stores to find a specific spice, then 千方百计 fits. Otherwise, it's too much.
想方设法 is a bit lighter and more common in casual speech. 千方百计 sounds more determined and intense.
Usually, yes. It functions as an adverb, so 千方百计地 + [Verb] is the most standard grammatical structure.
Absolutely. It shows your client or boss that you are working extremely hard to solve their problems.
Not at all. While it's an ancient idiom (chengyu), it is used every single day in news, books, and conversation.
Yes, it can describe an individual, a team, or even a government. For example: 全家人千方百计地寻找走失的小狗.
Not necessarily. It describes the *effort* and the *process*. You can 千方百计 do something and still fail in the end.
Younger people might just say 拼了 (pīn le), which means 'giving it my all,' but it doesn't have the same 'strategic' meaning.
Yes! If you are 千方百计 trying to improve your high score in a game, it sounds very passionate.
Verwandte Redewendungen
想方设法
To think of every method (slightly less intense).
竭尽全力
To do one's utmost/give 100% effort.
尽力而为
To do the best one can (more modest).
不择手段
By hook or by crook (strictly negative/unscrupulous).
