Definition

1. Noun:

   • Flexibility or adaptation according to circumstance: The principle of acting based on the necessity or exigencies of a specific, often unusual, situation, rather than sticking rigidly to fixed rules or norms. It implies a temporary or strategic deviation from standard procedure for a greater good or to achieve a necessary outcome.

2. Adjective / Adverbial Phrase:

   • Acting expediently; being pragmatic: Describes an action taken or a decision made by adapting to the practical demands of the moment. It carries the sense of being flexible and responsive to change.

Usage Examples

• As a principle (Noun):

  • Trong tình huống khẩn cấp, chúng ta cần áp dụng nguyên tắc tòng quyền. (In an emergency, we need to apply the principle of acting according to circumstance.)
  • Đôi khi tòng quyền là giải pháp khôn ngoan hơn là bám chặt vào giáo điều. (Sometimes pragmatic adaptation is a wiser solution than clinging to dogma.)

• Describing an action (Adjective/Adverb):

  • Anh ấy đã xử lý tòng quyền để cứu người bị nạn. (He handled the situation expediently to save the victim.)
  • Quyết định đó hoàn toàn là hành động tòng quyền. (That decision was entirely an expedient action.)

Advanced Usage

• The concept is often contrasted with "" (guarding the constant/usual way), highlighting the tension between upholding fixed principles and adapting to practical necessity.
• It is a term rooted in classical East Asian philosophy and statecraft, often discussed in contexts of governance, military strategy, or ethical dilemmas.

Variants and Related Words

• Quyền biến (n): Expediency; the capacity to adapt and change tactics. This is a closely related term often used in conjunction with "".
  • Nhà lãnh đạo giỏi phải biết quyền biến. (A good leader must know how to be adaptable.)

Synonyms

• Expediency: The quality of being convenient and practical, possibly at the expense of what is morally right or strictly by the rules.
• Pragmatism: A practical, matter-of-fact approach to problems and affairs.
• Flexibility: The ability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements.
• Adaptation: The action or process of adjusting to suit new conditions.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Tùy cơ ứng biến": To adapt flexibly to the situation as it develops. This is a more modern and common phrase with a very similar meaning to "".
  • Trên thương trường, điều quan trọng là phải biết tùy cơ ứng biến. (In business, it's important to know how to adapt flexibly to circumstances.)