趁（着）…
while (the chance lasts); taking advantage of
Structure
趁（着） 时机／条件 （，） 做某事
What it means
'While (the chance lasts); taking advantage of': seizes a good moment or condition that will not last.
How it is built
趁（着）+ moment or condition + (，) + action: 趁热吃 (eat it while it's hot); 趁着上班前的半个小时，他吃了碗面 (he used the half hour before work to eat noodles).
When to use it
One-word conditions are tight (趁热, 趁早); a longer phrase takes 着 and often a comma. 趁早 means 'the sooner the better'. Unlike 随着 (as something changes), 趁 is about seizing a chance.
Watch out
趁 marks a chance you use, not just a time; for plain 'while' use …的时候: ✗趁我吃饭，电话响了。 ✓我吃饭的时候，电话响了。
Examples
热干面要趁热吃，凉了就不好吃了。
Hot dry noodles must be eaten while they’re hot; cold, they’re no good.
趁着上班前的半个小时，他在楼下吃了碗面。
He used the half hour before work to eat a bowl of noodles downstairs.
趁年轻，多出去走走。
Get out and see the world while you’re young.
Learn this in Lesson 11 · HSK 5: 过早：一天从早餐开始 (Breakfast, city by city)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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