趁机 chènjī to seize an opportunity
How to remember 趁机: 趁 to take advantage of + 机 machine = to seize an opportunity.
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How it is used
- "Seize the moment to do X" - 他趁机溜走了 (tā chènjī liūzǒu le) he took the chance to slip away.
- Always followed by the opportunistic action; it frames that action as exploiting a passing opening, sometimes slyly (趁机涨价 use the chance to hike prices).
- 趁机 = grab a fleeting opening; 借机 (jièjī) is close but leans more on "using X as a pretext." Note 机 here means opportunity, not "desk."