sing4 gei1乘機乘机
Jyutpingsing4 gei1
Yalesìhng gēi
Definition
To take advantage of an opportunity; to seize a moment when others are not paying attention to do something.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Often carries a slightly sneaky or opportunistic connotation, implying the person is acting while others are distracted or busy. It is frequently interchangeable with 趁機, though 乘機 can sound a bit more deliberate or calculated in certain contexts. It is rarely used in a positive or neutral sense, usually describing someone acting for their own benefit.
Examples
He took the opportunity to ask the boss for leave.
Are you trying to take the opportunity to slack off?
Related words
Common phrases
to take the opportunity to slack off
to take the opportunity to sneak away
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 趁機, which is more common in everyday speech. While they are synonyms, 乘機 can sometimes imply a more formal or strategic intent, whereas 趁機 is the go-to for general opportunistic actions.
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.
