势在必行

勢在必行

shìzàibìxíng

idiom #34,630

Meanings

1 circumstances require action
2 absolutely imperative
3 must be carried out

Characters

situation; momentum

at; is such that

must; necessarily

Examples

教育体制的改革势在必行。

Jiàoyù tǐzhì de gǎigé shìzàibìxíng.

Reform of the education system is absolutely imperative.

面对气候变化，减排势在必行。

Miànduì qìhòu biànhuà, jiǎnpái shìzàibìxíng.

Facing climate change, emission reduction is imperative.

Tips

usage

Typically follows a noun phrase that names what must be done: 'reform / regulation / X 势在必行'. The structure 势 (situation) 在 (is such that) 必 (must) 行 (act) packs a complete argument: the circumstances themselves demand action.

Stroke Order

势 shì

在 zài

必 bì

行 xíng