酌情 zhuóqíng to use discretion
to use discretion; to take circumstances into account; to make allowances pertinent to a situation
How to remember 酌情: 酌 to pour wine + 情 feeling = to use discretion.
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How it is used
- 'To use discretion, act as circumstances warrant' - 酌情处理 (zhuóqíng chǔlǐ) handle at one's discretion; 酌情减免 (zhuóqíng jiǎnmiǎn) reduce/waive as appropriate.
- Formal/bureaucratic adverb: decide the specifics after weighing the situation. 酌 originally = to pour/weigh wine.
- Signals flexibility granted to the decider rather than a fixed rule.