Definition
惟利是图 is a four-character idiom meaning 'to be motivated solely by profit' or 'to put profit above all else'. It describes someone who will do anything for personal gain, often with a negative connotation. The structure 惟…是… is a classical Chinese pattern that emphasizes the object (利 'profit') as the sole focus. This variant is interchangeable with the more common 唯利是图.
v
to be motivated solely by profitto put profit above all else
Examples
- 惟利是图，。Zhège shāngrén wéi lì shì tú, cóng bú zàihū gùkè de lìyì.This businessman is motivated solely by profit and never cares about customers' interests.
- 惟利是图。wéi lì shì tú de gōngsī zuìzhōng huì shīqù shìchǎng.Companies that put profit above all else will eventually lose the market.
- 惟利是图。Tā wéi lì shì tú de zuòfǎ ràng hěnduō rén shīwàng.His profit-driven approach disappointed many people.
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