顺势

順勢

shùnshì

adverb HSK 7 #22,772

Meanings

1 to take advantage of the momentum
2 to seize the opportunity
3 going with the flow of events

Characters

to follow; along

momentum; trend; force

Literally 'following the momentum' — taking advantage of the situation

Examples

他顺势推了对方一把。

Tā shùnshì tuī le duìfāng yī bǎ.

He took the opportunity to give the other person a push.

她顺势提出了自己的要求。

Tā shùnshì tíchū le zìjǐ de yāoqiú.

She seized the moment to put forward her own demands.

Tips

usage

顺势 describes acting in a way that takes advantage of existing momentum or circumstances, rather than fighting against them. It implies opportunistic but natural action.

Stroke Order

顺 shùn

势 shì