# 因时制宜

yīn shí zhì yí

Adapt arrangements to the circumstances of the time

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Make suitable choices according to the time

**Traditional Chinese:** 因時制宜

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe adjusting methods as timing or conditions change.

Adaptation should keep the goal and relevant principles clear.

## The image & its use

A plan that works well in one season may need adjustment in another. This expression emphasizes choosing arrangements that suit current conditions. A class might change its outdoor timetable as daylight shifts, or a project might revise its schedule when materials become available earlier. The flexibility is purposeful rather than random. Explain which condition changed and why the new arrangement fits it. That helps distinguish sensible adaptation from abandoning an agreed plan without considering the people affected.

## Examples

活动安排应因时制宜，夏天可以早点开始。

### Traditional Chinese

活動安排應因時制宜，夏天可以早點開始。

huó dòng ān pái yìng yīn shí zhì yí ， xià tiān kě yǐ zǎo diǎn kāi shǐ 。

Activity plans should suit the season; in summer they can start earlier.

课程因时制宜，配合学生现在的需要。

### Traditional Chinese

課程因時制宜，配合學生現在的需要。

kè chéng yīn shí zhì yí ， pèi hé xué shēng xiàn zài de xū yào 。

The course adapts to the students' current needs.

我们因时制宜，调整了展览开放时间。

### Traditional Chinese

我們因時制宜，調整了展覽開放時間。

wǒ men yīn shí zhì yí ， tiáo zhěng le zhǎn lǎn kāi fàng shí jiān 。

We adjusted exhibition hours to suit current circumstances.

因时制宜并不意味着随意改变目标。

### Traditional Chinese

因時制宜並不意味著隨意改變目標。

yīn shí zhì yí bìng bú yì wèi zhe suí yì gǎi biàn mù biāo 。

Adapting to circumstances does not mean changing the goal arbitrarily.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1351&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%9B%A0%E6%99%82%E5%88%B6%E5%AE%9C)

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