sing4乘

Jyutpingsing4

Yalesìhng

語素Uncommon

Definition

To take advantage of, seize, or make use of an opportunity.

writtenother

How it's used

This character is almost exclusively used in formal idioms or specific compound words like 乘機. It carries a slightly opportunistic or calculated nuance, implying that someone is actively looking for a gap or a moment of weakness to act. Unlike casual ways of saying 'seize the moment,' it often suggests a degree of cunning or strategic timing.

Examples

keoi5佢sing4乘gei1機zau2走zo2咗heoi3去wun6玩。

He took the opportunity to slip away and play.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪soeng2想sing4乘gei1機tau1偷laan5懶aa3呀？

Are you trying to take the opportunity to slack off?

Common phrases

sing4乘gei1機

to seize an opportunity

sing4乘heoi1虛ji4而jap6入

to exploit a weakness

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with the verb for riding transport, such as 乘搭巴士. While the character is the same, the meaning of 'taking advantage of' is restricted to abstract opportunities and cannot be used for physical transportation.