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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min read

趁机, 专程, 照常 and 如期: Adverbs of Timing and Arrangement

Learn manner adverbs that say when or how an action is arranged: 趁机, 趁早, 专程, 就近, 如期, 照常, 照例, 照样, 一并 and 逐一.

Pattern

adverb + verb phrase

趁机 = take the chance; 专程 = make a special trip; 如期 = on schedule; 照常 = as normal; 照样 = all the same; 一并 = together; 逐一 = one by one.

爷爷专程从老家赶来参加我的毕业典礼。

When to use 趁机, 专程, 照常 and 如期: Adverbs of Timing and Arrangement

These adverbs go before the verb and describe how an action fits a chance, a plan or a habit. Taking a chance: 趁机 “take the opportunity” after a chance has been mentioned; 趁早 “do it early, before it’s too late”. Travel: 专程 “make a special trip” (专程赶来); 就近 “at the nearest place” (就近上学). Plans and habits: 如期 “on schedule” (如期完成); 照常 “as normal”, when something could have changed but didn’t (照常举行); 照例 “as usual, by custom” for a regular tradition; 照样 “all the same, still” despite a reason that might have changed things. Handling several things: 一并 “together, all at once” (一并交给); 逐一 “one by one” (逐一回答).

虽然下了大雨，运动会还是照常举行。

Although it rained heavily, the sports meet still went ahead as normal.

老师出去接电话，几个同学趁机聊起天来。

When the teacher went out to take a call, a few students took the chance to start chatting.

在大家的努力下，新图书馆如期开放了。

Thanks to everyone’s efforts, the new library opened on schedule.

你要是不想去，就趁早告诉他，别让他等。

If you don’t want to go, tell him soon, so he doesn’t wait for you.

Common traps

  • 专程 is for trips: 专程来看你, 专程赶来; for a specially made cake, use 特地.
  • 照常 means a plan or routine stays normal; for a yearly custom, 照例 is the better word.
  • 趁机 needs a chance mentioned first: 老师一出去，他就趁机……; for “before it’s too late”, use 趁早.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

经过大家一个月的准备，晚会 举行了

After a month of preparation by everyone, the evening party was held as planned
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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