Definition

1. Verb:
   • To be opportunistic: To act in a way that takes advantage of current circumstances, trends, or powerful figures for personal gain or safety, often by uncritically conforming to prevailing opinions or power structures.
   • To follow the trend / To go with the wind: To adapt one's behavior, opinions, or allegiance primarily to align with what is currently popular or dominant.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta là một kẻ xu thời, luôn thay đổi quan điểm để được lòng cấp trên. (He is an opportunist, always changing his views to please his superiors.)
  • Trong thời kỳ biến động, không ít người đã xu thời để bảo vệ lợi ích cá nhân. (During the turbulent period, many people became opportunistic to protect their personal interests.)
  • Hành động xu thời của hắn khiến mọi người khinh bỉ. (His opportunistic behavior made everyone despise him.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "xu thời" carries a strong negative connotation, implying a lack of principle, integrity, or genuine conviction. It criticizes someone for being a timeserver or a fair-weather friend.
• It often describes behavior in political, social, or professional contexts where one shifts allegiances for advantage.

Variants and Related Words

• Cơ hội (n): opportunity. While related, "cơ hội" is a neutral noun for "chance," whereas "xu thời" is the negative action of exploiting such chances unprincipledly.
• Cơ hội chủ nghĩa (n): opportunism (the ideology or practice).

Synonyms

• To be opportunistic
• To be a timeserver
• To be an opportunist
• To follow the crowd (for personal gain)
• To trim one's sails (to the prevailing wind)

Related Idioms

• "Xu nịnh": To flatter or toady. This is a related concept, but "xu nịnh" focuses on using flattery, while "xu thời" focuses on adapting to trends or power.
• "Gió chiều nào che chiều ấy": Literally "to shield oneself according to the direction of the wind." This idiom is a very close synonym for "xu thời," describing someone who always sides with the prevailing power.

verb

1. opportunism