随机应变
随机应变 (suí jī yìng biàn) literally means “follow opportunity respond to change” and expresses “adapt to circumstances; think on one's feet”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: sui ji ying bian, sui ji ying bian,随机应变 meaning, 随机应变 in english
Adapt to circumstances; think on one's feet
Pronunciation: suí jī yìng biàn Literal meaning: Follow opportunity respond to change
Origin & Usage
Following (随) the moment (机) and responding (应) to change (变). 机 is the pivot or the trigger, the point at which a situation turns, so the phrase is not about general flexibility but about acting on the particular opening as it appears. It comes out of military thinking, where a plan is understood to be a hypothesis about a battle that has not happened yet. Negotiators, teachers handling a class that has gone off the rails, anybody who abandoned the script correctly.
Examples
English: "Good leaders can adapt their strategies to changing circumstances."
Chinese: 好的领导者能够随机应变。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
当机立断
dāng jī lì duàn
Make a prompt decision
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旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
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与虎谋皮
yǔ hǔ móu pí
Asking someone to sacrifice their core interests
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迎刃而解
yíng rèn ér jiě
Easily solved once properly approached
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稳扎稳打
wěn zhā wěn dǎ
Proceed steadily; consolidate before advancing
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入乡随俗
rù xiāng suí sú
Adopt the customs of where you are
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随遇而安
suí yù ér ān
Contentment in any situation
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日理万机
rì lǐ wàn jī
Diligent governance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 随机应变 mean in English?
随机应变 (suí jī yìng biàn) literally translates to “Follow opportunity respond to change” and is used to express “Adapt to circumstances; think on one's feet”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 随机应变 used?
Situation: Good leaders can adapt their strategies to changing circumstances.
What is the pinyin for 随机应变?
The pinyin pronunciation for 随机应变 is “suí jī yìng biàn”.