变通 biàntōng pragmatic
pragmatic; flexible; to act differently in different situations; to accommodate to circumstances
How to remember 变通: 变 change + 通 pass through = pragmatic.
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How it is used
- 'To be flexible / adapt to circumstances / bend the rules pragmatically' - 灵活变通 (línghuó biàntōng) to adapt flexibly, 懂得变通 to know when to be flexible.
- Praises pragmatic adaptability - not rigidly sticking to rules when circumstances call for accommodation. Opposite of 死板 (rigid), 做事死板 (zuòshì sǐbǎn) rigid in one's ways.