Chinese word

随机应变

Pronunciation

Pinyinsuí jī yìng biàn

Meaning

  • verbadapt to circumstances

Example

遇到问题，他能随机应变。yù dào wèn tí tā néng suí jī yìng biàn

When he encounters a problem, he can adapt to the situation.

Illustration for 随机应变 (adapt to circumstances)

More examples

面试中，他凭经验随机应变，回答了刁钻的问题。miàn shì zhōng tā píng jīng yàn suí jī yìng biàn huí dá le diāo zuān de wèn tí

During the interview, he drew on his experience, responded flexibly, and answered the tricky question.

Core concept

A person changes the response as conditions change, keeping action effective in an unexpected situation.

Common phrases

  • 能随机应变néng suí jī yìng biàn

    be able to respond flexibly

  • 学会随机应变xué huì suí jī yìng biàn

    learn to respond flexibly

  • 凭经验随机应变píng jīng yàn suí jī yìng biàn

    rely on experience to respond flexibly

Similar words

应变yìng biàn: Quickly changing the way of doing something to handle a sudden problem.
变通biàn tōng: Adjusting a rule or method when strict use does not fit the situation.
适应shì yìng: Adjusting behavior or thinking to fit a new environment or situation.
应对yìng duì: Responding to a problem or request and dealing with it appropriately.

Definition in Chinese

在不确定或出现突发状况时，依据实际情况灵活采取行动或措施。zài bú què dìng huò chū xiàn tū fā zhuàng kuàng shí yī jù shí jì qíng kuàng líng huó cái qǔ xíng dòng huò cuò shī

Word origin

随机 (suíjī, "follow circumstances") + 应变 (yìngbiàn, "respond to change") forms an idiom for adapting one's actions to the situation.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, it often praises a person's ability rather than a lucky choice, so it fits comments about handling a changed plan, a travel problem, or an unexpected question.

Other meanings

  • respond flexiblyverb
  • act according to the situationverb

Opposites

  • 墨守成规mò shǒu chéng guīstick rigidly to old waysverb
  • 固守gù shǒuhold fast toverb

Word lists with this word