Definition
无利可图 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'there is no profit to be gained' — it describes a situation, task, or deal that offers no benefit or advantage. The structure is 无 (without) + 利 (profit) + 可 (can) + 图 (seek). It's often used to dismiss an activity as not worth doing because it yields no return.
v.p.
profitlessyielding no benefitnot worth doing (because there's nothing to gain)
Examples
- 无利可图，。Zhège shēngyi mó, méi rén yuànyì zuò.This business is profitless; no one is willing to do it.
- 无利可图，？Rúguǒ mó, wǒmen wèishénme yào làngfèi shíjiān?If there's nothing to gain, why should we waste time?
- 无利可图，。Tā zuò zhè jiàn shì wánquán mó, chúncuì shì bāngmáng.He did this with no benefit at all; it was purely to help.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.