Chinese word

趁机

Pronunciation

Pinyinchèn jī

Meaning

  • adverbtake the opportunity

Example

趁机问了老师一个问题。chèn jī wèn le lǎo shī yí gè wèn tí

They took the opportunity to ask the teacher a question.

Illustration for 趁机 (take the opportunity)

More examples

趁机插话后，他补充了自己的看法。chèn jī chā huà hòu tā bǔ chōng le zì jǐ de kàn fǎ

After taking the opportunity to interject, he added his own opinion.

Core concept

A suitable moment becomes a doorway for the next action.

Common phrases

  • 趁机插话chèn jī chā huà

    take the opportunity to interject

  • 趁机补充chèn jī bǔ chōng

    take the opportunity to add

  • 趁机求教chèn jī qiú jiào

    take the opportunity to seek advice

Similar words

乘机chéng jī: Using a brief opening to take quick action.
顺便shùn biàn: Doing an extra thing during the main task without making it the main purpose.

Definition in Chinese

抓住有利或合适的时刻采取行动或处理某事。zhuā zhù yǒu lì huò hé shì de shí kè cái qǔ xíng dòng huò chú lǐ mǒu shì

Word origin

趁 (chèn, "take advantage of") + 机 (jī, "opportunity") forms a word for using a suitable chance to act.

Usage tips

  • The word is neutral, so it can describe taking an opening for a helpful action or for a self-serving one, depending on the context.

Other meanings

  • at the right momentadverb
  • when there is an openingadverb

Word lists with this word