伺机 sìjī to wait for an opportunity
to wait for an opportunity; to watch for one's chance
How to remember 伺机: 伺 to serve + 机 machine = to wait for an opportunity.
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How it is used
- To bide one's time, wait for the right moment - 敌人伺机反扑 (dírén sìjī fǎnpū) the enemy waited for a chance to counterattack.
- Note reading sìjī. Often negative/tactical: 伺机报复 (wait for a chance to retaliate), 伺机行动.
- Adverbial before a verb; implies lying in wait for an opening.