见风使舵 jiàn fēng shǐ duò To trim one's sails to the wind

Explanation

比喻看形势或看别人的脸色改变自己的言行,缺乏主见。

This idiom describes someone who changes their behavior or opinions according to the situation, often lacking in principle and independence.

Origin Story

从前,有个秀才赶考,路遇暴风雨。他躲进一间破庙,庙里已有几个人。其中一人衣着华丽,自称是朝廷官员,另一人衣衫褴褛,却自称是布衣。暴风雨过后,官员要走,秀才犹豫要不要送他。这时,衣衫褴褛的人说:‘大人是朝廷命官,走时我等自当护送。’秀才听后,立刻明白了,便也跟着众人一起送别官员。官员走后,衣衫褴褛的人哈哈大笑,秀才不解,那人解释道:‘这叫见风使舵,你以后要多留心。’秀才恍然大悟。

cóngqián, yǒu gè xiùcái gǎnkǎo, lù yù bàofēngyǔ. tā duǒ jìn yī jiān pò miào, miào lǐ yǐ yǒu jǐ gè rén. qízhōng yī rén yīzhuō huá lì, zìchēng shì cháoting guānyuán, lìng yī rén yīsān lánlǚ, què zìchēng shì bù yī. bàofēngyǔ guò hòu, guānyuán yào zǒu, xiùcái yóuyù yào bù yào sòng tā. zhèshí, yīsān lánlǚ de rén shuō: ‘dàrén shì cháoting mìngguān, zǒu shí wǒ děng zìdāng hùsòng.’ xiùcái tīng hòu, lìkè míngbái le, biàn yě gēn zhe zhòng rén yīqǐ sòng bié guānyuán. guānyuán zǒu hòu, yīsān lánlǚ de rén hāhā dà xiào, xiùcái bù jiě, nà rén jiěshì dào: ‘zhè jiào jiànfēng shǐ duò, nǐ yǐhòu yào duō liúxīn.’ xiùcái huǎngrán dàwù.

Once upon a time, a scholar was traveling to take an exam when he encountered a violent storm. He took shelter in a dilapidated temple where several other people were already present. One was richly dressed and claimed to be a court official, while another was in rags and introduced himself as a commoner. After the storm subsided, the official prepared to leave, and the scholar hesitated whether to see him off. At that moment, the man in rags spoke up, "A high-ranking court official surely deserves an escort." The scholar understood instantly and joined the others in seeing off the official. After the official's departure, the man in rags broke into laughter. The scholar, perplexed, asked for an explanation. "That, my friend," replied the man, "is called adapting to the situation. You should pay more attention in the future." The scholar finally understood.

Usage

用于形容一个人善于察言观色,根据环境变化而改变自己的态度和做法。

yòng yú xíngróng yīgè rén shàn yú chá yán guānsè, gēnjù huánjìng biànhuà ér gǎibiàn zìjǐ de tàidu hé zuòfǎ.

This idiom is used to describe someone who is good at reading the situation and adapting their behavior accordingly.

Examples

  • 他见风使舵,左右逢源,人缘很好。

    ta jianfeng shǐ duò, zuǒyòu féngyuán, rényuán hěn hǎo.

    He is good at adapting to the situation and has a lot of friends.

  • 商场如战场,要学会见风使舵,才能立于不败之地。

    shāngchǎng rú zhànchǎng, yào xuéhuì jiànfēng shǐ duò, cáinéng lì yú bù bài zhī dì.

    In the business world, you have to learn to adapt to the situation if you want to be successful..