唯利是图
wéi lì shì tú
to care about nothing but profit; mercenary
Character by character
唯wéi
only
only
利lì
profit
profit
是shì
(it)
(it)
图tú
seek
seek
Example
有些商家唯利是图，把过期的食品换个包装接着卖。
Some traders care for nothing but money: they repackage out-of-date food and go on selling it.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
是 marks an inverted object: 唯利是图 is 唯图利, “seek only profit”, built like 唯命是从 (to do whatever one is told). A hard word of condemnation for businesses, traders and officials: 唯利是图的商人, 不能唯利是图.
Learn this in Lesson 140 · HSK 7–9: 一罐奶粉 (A can of milk powder)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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