jan1 sai3 lei6 dou6因勢利導因势利导
Jyutpingjan1 sai3 lei6 dou6
Yaleyān sai leih douh
Definition
To guide or direct matters of action in accordance with the circumstances and developing trends.
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How it's used
This idiom describes a strategic approach to leadership or problem solving where one leverages existing momentum rather than fighting against it. It carries a sophisticated, slightly formal tone often found in business, educational, or political contexts. Unlike simply following the crowd, it implies a conscious effort to steer a situation toward a positive outcome by working with the natural flow of events.
Examples
The teacher guided the students according to their interests, making them enjoy learning.
Facing this new trend, how should we provide guidance according to the situation?
Related words
Common phrases
a strategy of judicious guidance
to handle by leveraging the situation
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say 'follow the trend', but it specifically requires the element of active guidance or leadership. It is not a passive action of going with the flow.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
