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March 24, 2026
趁chèn(chen4)
The verb 趁 (chèn) means to take advantage of a situation or opportunity. It is commonly used in contexts where one acts swiftly to benefit from favorable conditions, such as seizing an opportunity in business or making the most of good weather.
Strokes12Radical走Frequency#2962DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the idea of seizing opportunities is highly valued, often linked to concepts of timing and fate. The phrase '趁早' (chèn zǎo, to act early) reflects the importance of acting promptly in personal and business matters.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cheetah (sounds like 'chèn') swiftly pouncing on its prey. The cheetah represents someone who takes advantage of an opportunity quickly, just like how you would '趁' (chèn) a moment to act while the time is right.
Meanings of 趁
chèn(chen4)
1to avail oneself of
2to take advantage of
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 趁
趁Simplified
12Strokes
走Radical
介词jiècípreposition (prep.)Part of Speech
#2962Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 趁
Podcast: 趁
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AI Study Notes for 趁
Quick Contrast
趁 (chèn) vs 利用 (lìyòng) — use 趁 when emphasizing taking advantage of a specific moment or opportunity, while 利用 focuses more on utilizing resources or advantages in a broader sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cheetah (sounds like 'chèn') swiftly pouncing on its prey. The cheetah represents someone who takes advantage of an opportunity quickly, just like how you would '趁' (chèn) a moment to act while the time is right.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 趁 with similar-sounding words, as its usage is often context-specific. It is typically used in informal or conversational settings but can also appear in written Chinese. Common collocations include 趁机 (chèn jī, to take advantage of an opportunity) and 趁热 (chèn rè, to take advantage of something while it's still hot).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 趁 connects well with other verbs related to taking action or making decisions, such as 抓 (zhuā, to grab) and 利用 (lìyòng, to utilize). Focus on practicing sentences that illustrate how to use 趁 in different contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the idea of seizing opportunities is highly valued, often linked to concepts of timing and fate. The phrase '趁早' (chèn zǎo, to act early) reflects the importance of acting promptly in personal and business matters.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 趁 with similar verbs. For example, saying '我利用这次机会' (I utilize this opportunity) instead of '我趁这次机会' (I take advantage of this opportunity) misses the nuance of seizing the moment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 趁
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Grammar Patterns of 趁
趁 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The little boat edged away quietly, while no one was looking.
10
他们趁黑闯进了我们的房子.
tā mén chèn hēi chuǎng jìn le wǒ mén de fáng zǐ.
They broke into our house under cloud of night.
Cultural Notes for 趁
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the idea of seizing opportunities is highly valued, often linked to concepts of timing and fate. The phrase '趁早' (chèn zǎo, to act early) reflects the importance of acting promptly in personal and business matters.
Word Family of 趁
Words Containing This Character9
趁chènto avail oneself of
趁机chènjīto seize an opportunity趁機
趁早chènzǎoas soon as possible
趁热打铁to strike while the iron is hot趁熱打鐵
趁势to seize an opportunity趁勢
趁火打劫to loot a burning house
趁便in passing
趁心satisfactory
趁钱(coll.) rich趁錢
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 趁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 趁
While 趁 is primarily used in informal contexts, it can appear in formal writing when discussing strategies or opportunities.
趁 emphasizes taking advantage of a fleeting opportunity, while 利用 focuses more on making use of something that is available.
You can say '我想趁这次机会学习中文' (I want to take advantage of this opportunity to learn Chinese).
