Chinese word

顺势

Pronunciation

Pinyinshùn shì

Meaning

  • verbgo with the flow

Example

遇到变化，要顺势而为。yù dào biàn huà yào shùn shì ér wèi

When faced with change, go with the flow.

Illustration for 顺势 (go with the flow)

More examples

股市回暖，投资者纷纷顺势买入。gǔ shì huí nuǎn tóu zī zhě fēn fēn shùn shì mǎi rù

As the stock market recovers, investors rush to buy with the trend.

Core concept

A person adjusts course to use the direction events are already taking.

Common phrases

  • 顺势而为shùn shì ér wèi

    go with the flow

  • 顺势让步shùn shì ràng bù

    yield to the trend

  • 顺势买入shùn shì mǎi rù

    buy with the trend

Similar words

乘势chéng shì: Use strong momentum or a favorable chance to move toward a useful result.
乘机chéng jī: Seize a good opportunity and use it to gain an advantage or achieve a goal.
顺应shùn yìng: Adjust behavior or methods to match an outside situation or requirement.
适应shì yìng: Adjust one's state or way of doing things to fit changing conditions.

Definition in Chinese

借助外在趋势或有利时机调整策略以取得更好结果。jiè zhù wài zài qū shì huò yǒu lì shí jī tiáo zhěng cè lüè yǐ qǔ dé gèng hǎo jié guǒ

Word origin

顺势 (shùnshì, "go with the momentum") is formed from 顺 (shùn, "follow") + 势 (shì, "momentum"), linking a direction already in motion with a choice to follow it.

Usage tips

  • For English speakers, 顺势 (shùnshì, "go with the momentum") can sound more active than "go with the flow", since it often describes a deliberate change of plan.

Other meanings

  • make the most of the situationverb
  • adapt to the situationverb

Opposites

  • 逆势而为nì shì ér wèiact against the trendverb
  • 反其道而行之fǎn qí dào ér xíng zhīdo the oppositeverb

Related words

  • 顺势而为shùn shì ér wèiact according to circumstancesidiom

Word lists with this word