攀害（pān hài）

Pronunciation: pān hài

Basic Meaning: To seek personal gain by harming others

Detailed Explanation: The idiom "攀害" is composed of two characters: "攀" means to climb or seek, and "害" means to harm or damage. Together, it refers to the act of seeking personal gain at the expense of others, often through harmful or malicious means. It implies a lack of moral integrity and disregard for the well-being of others.

Usage Scenarios: This idiom is often used to criticize people who are willing to harm others in order to achieve their own goals. It can be used to describe individuals who are ruthless, deceitful, or manipulative in their actions, especially in the pursuit of power, wealth, or success.

Story Origin: The origin of this idiom can be traced back to ancient China. During the Warring States period, there was a famous story about a man named Zhao Gao who was an advisor to the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. Zhao Gao was known for his cunning and deceitful nature. He wanted to eliminate his political rivals, so he devised a plan to frame them for crimes they did not commit. By doing so, he was able to climb the political ladder and gain more power for himself. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking personal gain through harmful actions.

Structure of the Idiom: The structure of this idiom is "攀" (pān) followed by "害" (hài).

Example Sentences:

1. 他為了追求個人利益，不惜攀害他人。

(He is willing to harm others in order to pursue personal gain.)

2. 這個商人為了賺更多的錢，常常采取攀害競爭對手的手段。

(This businessman often uses malicious tactics to harm his competitors in order to make more money.)

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of this idiom, you can associate "攀害" with the image of someone climbing a ladder by stepping on others, symbolizing the act of seeking personal gain at the expense of others.

Extended Learning: To further understand the concept of "攀害," you can explore related idioms and expressions that reflect similar ideas, such as "以鄰為壑" (yǐ lín wéi hè), which means to take advantage of one's neighbors, or "損人利己" (sǔn rén lì jǐ), which means to harm others for one's own benefit.

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

Children: 小明不會攀害別人的感情，他總是樂于幫助朋友。

(John doesn't harm others' feelings, he is always willing to help his friends.)

Teenagers: 為了在考試中獲得好成績，一些學生會攀害其他同學，偷偷傳遞錯誤的答案。

(Some students, in order to get good grades in exams, would harm other classmates by secretly passing incorrect answers.)

Adults: 這個公司的老板為了自己的利益，經常攀害員工，剝奪他們的權益。

(The boss of this company often harms the employees for his own benefit, depriving them of their rights.)