sing4 sai3乘勢乘势

Jyutpingsing4 sai3

Yalesìhng sai

副詞

Definition

To seize the opportunity; to take advantage of a favorable situation or trend to do something.

neutralworkmoney

How it's used

This term carries a slightly strategic or opportunistic nuance, often implying a calculated move to capitalize on a favorable momentum. It is frequently used in business or competitive contexts where timing is crucial to achieving a desired outcome. Unlike simply waiting for a chance, it emphasizes the active decision to ride a wave of success or a specific opening.

Examples

keoi5佢gin3見go3個si5市hou2好，sing4乘sai3勢maai6賣zo2咗sau2手soeng6上di1啲gu2股piu3票。

Seeing the market was good, he took the opportunity to sell off his stocks.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪soeng2想sing4乘sai3勢jiu1要kau4求lou5老baan2闆gaa1加jan4人gung1工aa4呀？

Are you trying to take advantage of the situation to ask the boss for a raise?

Common phrases

sing4乘sai3勢zeoi1追gik1擊

to press home an advantage

sing4乘sai3勢ji4而soeng6上

to ride the momentum

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse this with 趁機, which is more general and can imply taking advantage of a situation in a sneaky or negative way. 乘勢 specifically focuses on following the momentum or trend of an existing situation to push for further progress.