Definition
This is a four-character idiom (chengyu) meaning 'to have an ulterior motive' or 'to have a hidden agenda.' The literal translation ('to have a different intention') doesn't convey the strongly negative connotation — it describes someone whose words or actions are driven by a selfish or malicious purpose that they don't openly reveal. You'll often see it in formal or serious contexts, used to criticize someone's hidden motives.
f.e.
to have an ulterior motiveto have a hidden agenda
Examples
- ，别有用心。Tā zhème shuō, juéduì shì bié yǒu yòng xīn.He is definitely saying this with an ulterior motive.
- 别有用心，。Nà ge jiànyì míngxiǎn bié yǒu yòng xīn, bù néng jiēshòu.That suggestion clearly has an ulterior motive — we can't accept it.
- 别有用心，。Tā zhège rén bié yǒu yòng xīn, zǒngshì túmóu bù guǐ.He is a person with ulterior motives, always plotting something.
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