别有用心

別有用心

biéyǒu-yòngxīn

idiom #28,019

Meanings

1 to have ulterior motives
2 to have hidden agenda
3 with an axe to grind

Characters

other; another; separate

purpose; use; intent

heart; mind; intention

Examples

HSK 7-9

他看似好意帮忙，实则别有用心。

Tā kànsì hǎoyì bāngmáng, shízé biéyǒu-yòngxīn.

He seemed to be helping out of goodwill, but in fact had ulterior motives.

HSK 7-9

这篇文章别有用心，故意歪曲事实。

Zhè piān wénzhāng biéyǒu-yòngxīn, gùyì wāiqū shìshí.

This article was written with a hidden agenda, deliberately distorting the facts.

Tips

usage

别有用心 is accusatory - it implies that someone's outward actions conceal a self-serving or malicious purpose. It is commonly used in political commentary, media criticism, and interpersonal disputes.

Stroke Order

别 bié

有 yǒu

用 yòng

心 xīn