趋利避害
Seek advantages and avoid disadvantages
Literalmente: Tend towards (趋) profit (利), avoid (避) harm (害)
Use this to describe any logical decision made to maximize gain and minimize risk.
Em 15 segundos
- Human instinct to seek benefits and avoid trouble.
- A pragmatic way to describe making smart, logical choices.
- Common in business, psychology, and everyday life observations.
Significado
It's the natural human instinct to chase after things that benefit you while dodging anything that might cause trouble or loss.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Explaining a career move to a friend
换工作也是为了趋利避害，毕竟那家公司更有发展。
Changing jobs is just seeking advantage and avoiding harm; after all, that company has more potential.
A business meeting about risk assessment
在投资时，我们必须学会趋利避害。
When investing, we must learn to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages.
Texting a friend about avoiding a toxic person
离他远点吧，趋利避害是人的本能。
Stay away from him; seeking advantage and avoiding harm is human instinct.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the pragmatic core of Chinese philosophy, specifically the Legalist school which viewed human nature as inherently self-interested. Unlike Western 'rational choice theory' which is purely economic, this phrase is often used to explain biological survival and social navigation. It highlights a cultural acceptance of pragmatism over idealism in daily decision-making.
The 'Robot' Hack
If you want to explain a decision without sounding too emotional or defensive, use this phrase. It makes your choice sound like a law of physics rather than a personal whim.
Don't use for Heroes
Never use this to describe someone doing something brave or selfless. It implies they are acting out of self-interest, which would be an insult in that context.
Em 15 segundos
- Human instinct to seek benefits and avoid trouble.
- A pragmatic way to describe making smart, logical choices.
- Common in business, psychology, and everyday life observations.
What It Means
Think of it as the 'survival of the smartest.' 趋利避害 describes the universal human behavior of making choices that maximize gain and minimize pain. It is not just about money. It is about energy, safety, and even social standing. It is that internal compass that tells you to take the job with the better commute or avoid the friend who always starts drama.
How To Use It
You can use it as a noun phrase or a verb. It often describes a strategy or a natural instinct. If you are explaining why someone made a specific choice, you can say it is just 趋利避害. It sounds quite logical and objective. You will often see it in discussions about economics, biology, or even dating. It is like saying 'they are just doing what is best for them.'
When To Use It
Use it when you want to sound analytical about a decision. It is perfect for a business meeting when discussing risk management. You can also use it with friends when gossiping about why someone quit a stressful job. It works great when you want to justify a selfish-but-logical move. If you choose the shorter line at the supermarket, that is 趋利避害 in action. It is the ultimate 'no-brainer' explanation for human behavior.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it when you want to praise someone's selflessness or heroism. You would not use this for a firefighter running into a building. That is the opposite of 趋利避害! Also, do not use it if you want to sound deeply emotional. It is a bit too 'calculating' for a romantic confession. If you use it to describe your love life, you might sound like a robot.
Cultural Background
This phrase has roots in ancient Chinese philosophy, particularly Legalism. Philosophers like Han Fei believed humans are driven by self-interest. They argued that leaders should use this instinct to govern effectively. Over centuries, it shifted from a cold political theory to a common-sense observation. It reflects a very pragmatic side of Chinese culture. It acknowledges that being practical is not a sin; it is a necessity for survival.
Common Variations
You might hear people say 趋吉避凶 (qū jí bì xiōng). This version is more about luck and superstition. It means seeking good fortune and avoiding bad luck. While 趋利避害 is about practical benefits, 趋吉避凶 is about fate and safety. Another similar one is 唯利是图, but be careful! That one is negative and means someone is 'only' interested in money.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and versatile. It can be used in academic, business, and casual settings. Just be careful not to use it when describing acts of extreme self-sacrifice.
The 'Robot' Hack
If you want to explain a decision without sounding too emotional or defensive, use this phrase. It makes your choice sound like a law of physics rather than a personal whim.
Don't use for Heroes
Never use this to describe someone doing something brave or selfless. It implies they are acting out of self-interest, which would be an insult in that context.
Pragmatism is Key
In Chinese culture, being 'practical' (实在) is a compliment. Using this phrase shows you understand the importance of being realistic and taking care of one's own interests.
Exemplos
6换工作也是为了趋利避害，毕竟那家公司更有发展。
Changing jobs is just seeking advantage and avoiding harm; after all, that company has more potential.
Used here to justify a logical career decision.
在投资时，我们必须学会趋利避害。
When investing, we must learn to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages.
A very standard professional usage regarding risk management.
离他远点吧，趋利避害是人的本能。
Stay away from him; seeking advantage and avoiding harm is human instinct.
Using the phrase to validate a social choice.
我选这个离空调近的位置，纯粹是趋利避害。
I chose the seat near the AC purely to seek advantage and avoid harm.
Applying a grand philosophical term to a small, funny convenience.
动物都有趋利避害的本能。
Animals all have the instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm.
Scientific/educational context describing survival instincts.
虽然很难，但我不得不趋利避害，做出选择。
Although it was hard, I had to seek the best outcome and avoid the worst.
Expressing a logical necessity despite emotional difficulty.
Teste-se
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about a smart business move.
面对风险，商人总是倾向于___。
趋利避害 (seeking advantage) is the logical choice for a businessman facing risk. 大公无私 means selfless, and 见利忘义 means forgetting ethics for profit.
Which phrase describes a natural survival instinct?
生物在进化过程中，学会了___。
Evolution involves learning to survive by seeking benefits and avoiding dangers.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 趋利避害
Used among friends to explain simple choices.
Choosing the best seat.
Standard daily conversation or news.
Discussing job changes.
Business reports or academic papers.
Economic strategy analysis.
When to use 趋利避害
Investing Money
Diversifying a portfolio.
Social Life
Avoiding drama-prone friends.
Career
Leaving a dying industry.
Nature
Birds migrating south.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot necessarily. It is usually neutral or objective. It describes a natural instinct, like in 趋利避害是人的本能 (It's human instinct to seek gain and avoid harm).
Yes, it is very professional. You can use it to describe a strategy for minimizing risk, such as 我们的方案旨在趋利避害 (Our plan aims to maximize benefits and minimize risks).
趋利避害 is a neutral survival instinct, while 见利忘义 is a negative idiom meaning someone abandons their morals for money. Don't mix them up!
Yes, it can be slightly humorous. For example, 为了不排队，我趋利避害选了这家 (To avoid the line, I sought the advantage and chose this place).
You can use it directly after a subject. For example, 面对危机，我们要学会趋利避害 (Facing a crisis, we must learn to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages).
This phrase is already quite formal-sounding because it's a four-character idiom (chengyu), but it's common enough for daily use.
Absolutely. It's often used in biology to describe how organisms react to their environment, like 昆虫有趋利避害的行为 (Insects exhibit behaviors of seeking benefits and avoiding harm).
No, '利' (benefit) can mean safety, time, happiness, or health. It's about any positive outcome.
There isn't one exact opposite, but 舍生取义 (sacrificing one's life for righteousness) represents the opposite moral choice.
They are close, but 趋吉避凶 is more about avoiding bad luck or spiritual harm, while 趋利避害 is about practical, real-world advantages.
Frases relacionadas
趋吉避凶 (Seek good fortune and avoid calamity)
唯利是图 (Seeking nothing but profits - negative)
明哲保身 (Wise man protects himself)
避实就虚 (Avoid the strong and attack the weak)
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