契机

• Pinyin: qì jī
• Hanzi breakdown: 契 = 丰 + 刀 + 大 (engrave a contract; bond/connect); 机 = 木 (wood) + 几 (small frame) — originally a trigger mechanism, hence opportunity

Meaning

Opportunity; turning point; critical juncture. A key moment or circumstance that provides a pivotal opportunity for change, advancement, or a breakthrough.

More literary and formal than 机会. Implies a critical juncture that enables significant change. Common collocations: 创造契机 (create opportunities), 把握契机 (seize the turning point), 历史契机 (historical turning point). Used in business strategy, politics, and diplomacy.

Examples

1. 这次国际博览会为本地中小企业提供了拓展海外市场、建立国际合作关系的宝贵契机。 This international expo provided local small and medium-sized businesses with a valuable opportunity to expand into overseas markets and build international partnerships.
2. 两国领导人的首次会晤成为推动双边关系实现历史性突破的重要外交契机，意义深远。 The leaders’ first meeting became a pivotal diplomatic opportunity that helped drive a historic breakthrough in bilateral relations, with far-reaching significance.
3. 企业应善于在每一次市场危机中发现并抓住推动自身转型升级的战略契机，化危为机。 Companies should be good at spotting and seizing strategic opportunities in every market crisis to push transformation and upgrading, turning danger into opportunity.

Usage Guide

Context: business, politics, diplomacy, strategy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这场技术革命为传统制造业的智能化转型提供了千载难逢的历史契机，必须果断把握。(This technological revolution offers the manufacturing industry a once-in-a-millennium historical opportunity for intelligent transformation — it must be seized decisively.)
• 外部市场压力反而成为该公司彻底重构业务模式、重获核心竞争优势的重要战略契机。(External market pressure became the very turning point that drove the company to completely restructure its business model and reclaim its competitive edge.)

Don't Say

• 我找到了吃饭的契机 — 契机 implies significant turning points; use 机会/时机 for ordinary everyday opportunities

Origin & History

契 (agreement/connection/bond) + 机 (opportunity/mechanism/moment) — a pivotal connecting moment that unlocks possibility

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal