手段

shǒuduàn

noun HSK 5 #2,445

Meanings

1 method; means; measure
2 trick; scheme (negative connotation)
3 skill; ability

Characters

section; segment; means

The 'segments' of what the hand can do — methods, means, or tricks.

Examples

我们必须采取有效手段。

Wǒmen bìxū cǎiqǔ yǒuxiào shǒuduàn.

We must adopt effective measures.

他的手段很高明。

Tā de shǒuduàn hěn gāomíng.

His methods are very clever.

不要用不正当的手段。

Bùyào yòng bú zhèngdàng de shǒuduàn.

Don't use improper means.

这只是达到目的的手段。

Zhè zhǐshì dádào mùdì de shǒuduàn.

This is just a means to an end.

Tips

usage

手段 is neutral in formal contexts (有效手段 = effective measures) but often negative in daily speech, implying manipulation or scheming (耍手段 = play tricks).

usage

Compare with 手法 (shǒufǎ, technique/method — more about skill) and 方法 (fāngfǎ, method — fully neutral).

Stroke Order

手 shǒu

段 duàn