趁 chèn to take advantage of
to take advantage of; to seize an opportunity
How to remember 趁: 走 walk + 㐱 thick hair = to take advantage of. When the barber goes out for a walk, his apprentice cuts a customer's thick hair himself, keen to take advantage of the quiet shop.
Component breakdown
趁 = 走 walk + 㐱 thick hair
- 走 walk
- 㐱 thick hair
When the barber goes out for a walk, his apprentice cuts a customer's thick hair himself, keen to take advantage of the quiet shop.
How it is used
- A live preposition/verb: to take advantage of a moment. 趁机 (chènjī) to seize the chance, 趁早 (chènzǎo) while there's still time / sooner rather than later.
- Pattern 趁 + situation: 趁热吃 (chèn rè chī) eat it while it's hot, 趁现在 (chèn xiànzài) while we still can. Idiom 趁热打铁 (chèn rè dǎ tiě) strike while the iron is hot.