Definition
变通 means 'to adapt flexibly by making pragmatic adjustments' — it's about bending rules or changing an approach to suit the situation, not about being soft (软) or random (随机). Unlike 务实 (being pragmatic in a practical, no-nonsense way), 变通 emphasizes creative flexibility rather than sticking to concrete facts. It's also distinct from 伸缩 (physical extension/retraction used figuratively); 变通 is purely about mental or procedural adaptation.
verb
to adapt flexiblyto make pragmatic adjustments
Examples
- 变通。Zhège fāng'àn xūyào biàn tōng yíxià cáinéng tōngguò.This plan needs a little adjustment to get approved.
- 变通，。Tā zuò shì hěn dǒngde biàn tōng, suǒyǐ zǒng néng jiějué wèntí.He knows how to be flexible in his work, so he always solves problems.
- 变通。Zài tánpàn zhōng shìdàng biàn tōng yǒushí bǐ jiānchí yuánzé gèng yǒuxiào.In negotiations, being appropriately flexible is sometimes more effective than sticking to one's principles.
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