趁
Pattern
趁 + time / situation + action
Key words
Core idea
趁 introduces a favorable time, situation, or chance.
It is close to “while,” “before,” or “taking advantage of the fact that...”
How it works
The 趁 phrase usually comes before the main action. It explains why this is a good moment to act.
Usage boundary
趁 is not neutral sequencing. It suggests timing matters: the chance exists now and may not last.
Examples
趁天气好，我们去爬山。
Chèn tiānqì hǎo, wǒmen qù páshān.
While the weather is good, let's go hiking.
趁老师还没来，我问你一个问题。
Chèn lǎoshī hái méi lái, wǒ wèn nǐ yí ge wèntí.
Before the teacher comes, let me ask you a question.
你趁热喝吧。
Nǐ chèn rè hē ba.
Drink it while it is hot.
Common mistakes
Avoid
趁天气好去我们爬山。
Use
趁天气好，我们去爬山。
The 趁 phrase comes first, then the subject and action usually follow as the main clause.
Seen in stories
The Locker Detective Retires
她说要趁周末安静，把家里的书看完。
She says she wants to use the quiet weekend to finish the books at home.
The Locker Detective Retires
照片背面写着：趁线索还新，请找到照片里的老人。
On the back of the photo it says: while the clue is still fresh, please find the elderly person in the photo.
The Locker Detective Retires
小赵本来想走，邻居却趁她还没关门，把照片递了过来。
Xiao Zhao originally wants to leave, but a neighbor hands her the photo before she can close the door.
The Locker Detective Retires
她只好趁大家都在，问谁认识照片里的红围巾。
She has to ask while everyone is present who recognizes the red scarf in the photo.
The Locker Detective Retires
小赵趁老人还激动，帮她把照片装进新的相框。
While the woman is still emotional, Xiao Zhao helps put the photo into a new frame.
Show 7 more story examples
The Locker Detective Retires
她说：“趁我还没后悔，你们以后自己先破一半。”
She says, “Before I regret it, from now on you all solve the first half yourselves.”
Before the Rain Reached Us
阿姨喊：“趁雨还没到，先把汤搬进去！”
An auntie shouts, “Before the rain arrives, move the soup inside first!”
Before the Rain Reached Us
邻居趁风还不大，把纸灯一盏一盏收下来。
A neighbor takes down the paper lamps one by one while the wind is still not strong.
Before the Rain Reached Us
她说，趁还热可以偷吃，趁下雨可不行。
She says, “You can sneak a bite while it's hot, but not while it's raining.”
Before the Rain Reached Us
她说，趁还热可以偷吃，趁下雨可不行。
She says, “You can sneak a bite while it's hot, but not while it's raining.”
Before the Rain Reached Us
大家趁门还开着，把路过的邮差也叫进来。
While the door is still open, everyone calls in the passing mail carrier too.
The Group Chat Apology
物业趁大家心情好，顺便提醒居民以后取件要看清姓名。
While everyone was in a good mood, the property office reminded residents to check names carefully when picking up packages.