因势利导
yīn shì lì dǎo
to steer a situation the way it is already going, and so turn it to good use
Character by character
因yīn
follow
follow
势shì
trend
trend
利lì
advantage
advantage
导dǎo
guide
guide
Example
孩子喜欢玩游戏，老师因势利导，用游戏的方式教他们算数。
The children loved games, so the teacher went with it and taught them sums through games.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
From 《史记》, where 孙膑 says a good general 因其势而利导之, works with the momentum the situation gives him. Said of teachers, parents and policy: you do not fight a trend, you guide it.
Learn this in Lesson 172 · HSK 7–9: 南水北调 (Sending southern water north)
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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