投机取巧

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: tóu jī qǔ qiǎo
• English Translation: To resort to dubious tricks (opportunism)
• Idiom Composition: 「投」（To cast or adapt to (an opportunity)）＋「机」（Opportunity or chance）＋「取」（To seek or obtain）＋「巧」（Crafty methods or clever shortcuts）
• Meaning: To avoid honest effort and instead use opportunistic methods or crafty shortcuts to gain an advantage. It is a derogatory term used to criticize a lack of integrity or diligence.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「投机取巧」 contains the following nuances:

• Opportunistic Attitude: 投机 (tóu jī) originally means seizing an opportunity, but in this idiom, it carries a negative nuance of looking for loopholes or exploiting a situation for selfish gain.
• Avoidance of Effort: The idiom strongly suggests a mindset of 'cutting corners' to get results without going through the proper, honest process or putting in the necessary work.
• Shallow Craftiness: 取巧 (qǔ qiǎo) refers to acting cleverly, but in this context, it criticizes shallow tricks or shifty behavior rather than genuine intelligence or wisdom.

3. Usage

「投机取巧」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Attitude toward work or study: Used to warn against neglecting fundamentals in favor of techniques, cheating, or flattery to get results.
  • Example:「学习必须脚踏实地，不能总想着投机取巧。」
    （Learning must be grounded; one cannot always think about taking shortcuts.）
• Business and commerce: Used to criticize exploiting legal loopholes or faking quality to gain unfair profits.
  • Example:「靠投机取巧做生意是长久不了的，信誉才是根本。」
    （Doing business by resorting to dubious tricks won't last long; reputation is the foundation.）
• Social behavior: Refers to selfish behavior where one ignores rules to gain a personal advantage.
  • Example:「他以为自己很聪明，其实这种投机取巧的做法只会让人反感。」
    （He thinks he's smart, but in reality, this kind of opportunistic behavior only breeds resentment.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这次考试很难，想靠投机取巧及格是不可能的。
   （This exam is very difficult; it's impossible to pass by relying on tricks.）
2. 与其整天琢磨怎么投机取巧，不如多花点时间提升自己的能力。
   （Instead of spending all day figuring out how to game the system, you should spend more time improving your skills.）
3. 在这个团队里，我们欣赏踏实肯干的人，不喜欢投机取巧之徒。
   （In this team, we appreciate those who work hard and dislike those who resort to craftiness.）
4. 虽然他一时靠投机取巧赚了钱，但最终还是破产了。
   （Although he made money for a while by opportunistic means, he eventually went bankrupt.）
5. 不要把别人的善良当作你投机取巧的机会。
   （Don't treat other people's kindness as an opportunity for you to take unfair advantage.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In Chinese culture, especially within Confucian (孔子) values, the concept of 脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì) or 'keeping one's feet on the ground' is a core virtue. 投机取巧 (tóu jī qǔ qiǎo) is seen as the behavior of a 小人 (xiǎo rén), or a person lacking moral integrity.
• In modern competitive environments, while being 'resourceful' is often valued, this idiom specifically targets 'cheating' or 'unethical shortcuts' that cross moral or legal boundaries.
• It is important to distinguish this from 随机应变 (suí jī yìng biàn), which means 'to be flexible and adapt to circumstances' (a positive trait), whereas 投机取巧 (tóu jī qǔ qiǎo) implies bending principles for selfish gain.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 投机钻营 (tóu jī zuān yíng): To use every means to secure personal gain or curry favor with those in power.
  • 偷奸耍滑 (tōu jiān shuǎ huá): To be lazy and play tricks to avoid work or responsibility.
  • 不择手段 (bù zé shǒu duàn): To achieve a goal by any means necessary, regardless of morality or legality.link
  • 弄虚作假 (nòng xū zuò jiǎ): To practice fraud or deception.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì): To do things in a down-to-earth, steady, and honest manner.link
  • 按部就班 (àn bù jiù bān): To follow the prescribed order and do things step-by-step.link
  • 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì): Seek truth from facts; be practical and realistic.link

6. Summary

投机取巧 (tóu jī qǔ qiǎo) describes an attitude of avoiding hard work in favor of manipulation and shortcuts. Whether in studies, business, or social interactions, it implies 'gaming the system' or being 'shifty' to achieve success without earning it. It highlights a fundamental lack of sincerity and is used to condemn those who prefer clever tricks over steady progress.