先机 (xiān jī) — the first opportunity; the initiative (in a competitive context)

Definition

Examples

• 在市场竞争中，谁能抢占先机，谁就能赢得主动。
  Zài shì chǎng jìng zhēng zhōng, shuí néng qiǎng zhàn xiān jī, shuí jiù néng yíng dé zhǔ dòng.
  In market competition, whoever seizes the initiative can gain the upper hand.
• 他们因为犹豫不决而失去了这次先机。
  Tā men yīn wèi yóu yù bù jué ér shī qù le zhè cì xiān jī.
  They lost this opportunity because of indecision.
• 公司必须抓住先机，才能在新领域取得成功。
  Gōng sī bì xū zhuā zhù xiān jī, cái néng zài xīn lǐng yù qǔ dé chéng gōng.
  The company must seize the first opportunity to succeed in the new field.

Origin