Definition

1. Verb (archaic, literary):
   • To act according to circumstances; to adapt flexibly. This term describes the strategic ability to adjust one's actions and decisions based on the specific situation, rather than following a rigid plan. It implies wisdom and practical adaptability.
   • To act with casual or unceremonious ease. In some contexts, it can convey a sense of acting naturally and without forced formality, going with the flow.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Người lãnh đạo giỏi phải biết cách kinh quyền. (A good leader must know how to act according to circumstances.)
  • Cử chỉ kinh quyền của ông ấy khiến mọi người cảm thấy thoải mái. (His unceremonious/casual manner made everyone feel at ease.)
  • Trong công việc, đôi khi cần phải kinh quyền chứ không cứng nhắc. (In work, one sometimes needs to be adaptable, not rigid.)

Advanced Usage & Nuance

• "Kinh quyền" is a classical, literary term derived from Sino-Vietnamese roots ("kinh" 經: classic, constant principle; "quyền" 權: power, flexibility). It carries a connotation of balancing fixed principles ("kinh") with situational flexibility ("quyền"). It is rarely used in modern everyday speech but may appear in formal writing, historical contexts, or discussions of strategy and philosophy.

Synonyms

• To adapt: to adjust to new conditions.
• To improvise: to create and perform spontaneously without preparation.
• To be flexible: to be able to change or be changed easily according to the situation.
• To play it by ear: (idiomatic) to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops.

Related Concepts

• Tùy cơ ứng biến: (idiom) to respond flexibly to opportunities; a near-synonymous phrase meaning to adapt as the situation changes.
• Linh hoạt: (adjective) flexible, agile. This is the modern, common word for flexibility.

1. Act according to circumstances, act casually