趁着 (chèn zhāo) — taking advantage of (a time or situation); while (the opportunity lasts)

Definition

Preposition meaning 'while (X is still the case)' or 'taking advantage of (X)' — typically pairs with a short clause of circumstance before the main action. Use the main clause to express what the speaker does to benefit from that window.

preposition
taking advantage of (a time or situation)while (the opportunity lasts)

Examples

  • 趁着，。
    chèn zhāo Xiàn zài hái yǒu shí jiān, wǒ men zài fù xí yí biàn.
    While we still have time, let's review one more time.
  • 趁着，。
    chèn zhāo Tiān qì hǎo, wǒ men chū qù sàn bù ba.
    Since the weather is nice, let's go for a walk.
  • 趁着，。
    chèn zhāo Nián qīng, duō xué diǎn dōng xī.
    Take advantage of your youth to learn more.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

趁chèntake advantage of
着zheongoing state

趁 (take advantage of) plus 着 (ongoing state) gives 'while' or 'taking advantage of'.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
走走zǒuto run
Sound part声符shēngfú
㐱
㐱㐱趁chèn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

趁 is built from 走, 'to run', and 㐱, which gives the sound.

Open 趁 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 著; 着 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艸艸cǎograss; plant
Sound part声符shēngfú
者
者zhě著zháo
Same sound today

The traditional form 著 puts 艸 (grass; plant) above 者, which gives the sound; the simplified 着 is a later shorthand.

Open 着 →

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