selfish calculations; petty schemes
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
selfish calculations; petty schemes for personal or sectional gain
derogatoryMetaphorical expression derived from the literal 'small abacus'. Often carries a derogatory implication of narrow self-interest, shortsightedness, or lack of consideration for the collective good. Can take the retroflex suffix '-儿' (小算盘儿).
Tā他
zǒng总
shì是
dǎ打
zhe着
zì自
jǐ己
de的
xiǎo小
suàn算
pan盘
，
cóng从
bù不
kǎo考
lǜ虑
tuán团
duì队
lì利
yì益
。
He is always calculating his own petty gains and never considers the team's interests.
Bù不
yào要
zhǐ只
dǎ打
xiǎo小
suàn算
pan盘
，
yào要
gù顾
quán全
dà大
jú局
。
Don't just scheme for your own benefit; you must consider the overall situation.
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Tā她
xīn心
lǐ里
yǒu有
yī一
běn本
xiǎo小
suàn算
pan盘
，
jīng精
míng明
de得
hěn很
。
She has her own little abacus in her mind—she's extremely shrewd.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
sǔn损
hài害
jí集
tǐ体
lì利
yì益
de的
xiǎo小
suàn算
pan盘
hái还
shì是
shǎo少
dǎ打
wéi为
miào妙
。
It's best not to make such selfish calculations that harm collective interests.