quányízhījì: 权宜之计 - Stopgap Measure, Expedient Measure

• Keywords: 权宜之计, quányízhījì, Chinese idiom, stopgap measure, temporary solution, expedient measure, Chinese chengyu, practical solution, temporary fix, measure of expediency, what is quanyizhiji.
• Summary: 权宜之计 (quányízhījì) is a common Chinese idiom (Chengyu) that translates to a “stopgap measure” or “temporary solution.” It refers to a practical but imperfect plan adopted to solve an immediate problem, with the understanding that it is not a permanent fix. This entry explores the meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage of this essential term, providing clear examples to help you understand when a solution is just a clever `权宜之计`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): quányízhījì
• Part of Speech: Noun (Chengyu / Idiom)
• HSK Level: N/A (Commonly used Chengyu, beyond standard HSK lists)
• Concise Definition: A temporary and expedient measure taken to solve an immediate problem.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `权宜之计` as the “it'll do for now” plan. It's not the ideal, long-term solution you'd write in a textbook, but it's the clever, practical move you make when circumstances demand flexibility. It’s about weighing your options in a pinch and choosing the most suitable path forward, even if that path is a detour.

• 权 (quán): To weigh or balance. It also means “power” or “authority,” but here it carries the sense of assessing a situation.
• 宜 (yí): Suitable, appropriate, or fitting.
• 之 (zhī): A classical grammatical particle that connects the words, similar to “of” in English.
• 计 (jì): A plan, strategy, or scheme.

When combined, `权宜之计` literally means “a plan from weighing what is suitable.” This beautifully captures the essence of the idiom: a strategy born from carefully considering the immediate circumstances and choosing the most appropriate, if not perfect, course of action.

`权宜之计` reflects a deep-seated pragmatism in Chinese culture. It highlights the value of flexibility (`灵活`, línghuó) and adaptability in the face of challenges. Rather than rigidly sticking to an ideal plan that is unworkable, there is cultural wisdom in finding a temporary path forward. A useful comparison is to the Western concept of a “Band-Aid solution” or a “quick fix.” However, there's a crucial difference in connotation. A “Band-Aid solution” is almost always negative, implying laziness or a refusal to deal with the real problem. In contrast, `权宜之计` can be neutral or even slightly positive, portraying the decision-maker as resourceful and clever for finding a way to manage a difficult situation. It's less about avoiding the problem and more about strategically navigating it. While it can be used critically to point out a short-sighted policy, it is often presented as a necessary and intelligent choice made under pressure.

This idiom is common in both formal and informal contexts, from business meetings and news reports to everyday conversations about personal problems.

• In Business and Politics: It's often used to describe policies, business strategies, or compromises made to handle a crisis. For example, a company might lower prices temporarily to survive a recession, calling it a `权宜之计`.
• In Personal Life: Someone might take a job they don't love as a `权宜之计` while they search for their dream career, or live with their parents temporarily to save money.
• Connotation: The tone depends heavily on the context.
  • Neutral/Positive: When used to justify a necessary, pragmatic action. “Given our budget, this was the only viable `权宜之计`.”
  • Negative: When used to criticize a solution for being short-sighted. “His proposal is just a `权宜之计` and doesn't solve the core issue.”

• Example 1:
  • 为了渡过经济危机，公司裁员只是个权宜之计。
  • Pinyin: Wèile dùguò jīngjì wēijī, gōngsī cáiyuán zhǐshì ge quányízhījì.
  • English: To get through the economic crisis, the company's layoffs are just a stopgap measure.
  • Analysis: Here, the term is used in a business context to explain a difficult but necessary short-term action. The connotation is neutral and explanatory.
• Example 2:
  • 在找到合适的公寓之前，我先住在朋友家，这只是权宜之计。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhǎodào héshì de gōngyù zhīqián, wǒ xiān zhù zài péngyǒu jiā, zhè zhǐshì quányízhījì.
  • English: Before I find a suitable apartment, I'm staying at a friend's place; it's just a temporary solution.
  • Analysis: A very common, personal use of the term. It clarifies that the current living situation is not permanent.
• Example 3:
  • 政府推出的新补贴政策被批评为权宜之计，治标不治本。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ tuīchū de xīn bǔtiē zhèngcè bèi pīpíng wèi quányízhījì, zhìbiāobùzhìběn.
  • English: The government's new subsidy policy was criticized as a stopgap measure that treats the symptoms but not the root cause.
  • Analysis: This example shows the negative connotation. It's paired with another idiom, `治标不治本` (zhìbiāobùzhìběn), to strengthen the criticism.
• Example 4:
  • 我们都知道这不是最好的方法，但这已经是我们目前唯一的权宜之计了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen dōu zhīdào zhè búshì zuì hǎo de fāngfǎ, dàn zhè yǐjīng shì wǒmen mùqián wéiyī de quányízhījì le.
  • English: We all know this isn't the best method, but it's the only stopgap measure we have right now.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the necessity and lack of alternatives, giving `权宜之计` a neutral, pragmatic feel.
• Example 5:
  • 使用旧设备只是一个权宜之计，直到新设备运到。
  • Pinyin: Shǐyòng jiù shèbèi zhǐshì yí ge quányízhījì, zhídào xīn shèbèi yùndào.
  • English: Using the old equipment is just a temporary fix until the new machinery arrives.
  • Analysis: A classic example from a work or project management context. It's a practical, non-controversial statement.
• Example 6:
  • 为了避免争吵，他选择暂时沉默，这是一种权宜之计。
  • Pinyin: Wèile bìmiǎn zhēngchǎo, tā xuǎnzé zànshí chénmò, zhè shì yī zhǒng quányízhījì.
  • English: To avoid an argument, he chose to remain silent for the moment, which was an expedient measure.
  • Analysis: This shows how the term can apply to social strategies, not just physical or financial ones.
• Example 7:
  • 这个软件补丁只是个权宜之计，我们还需要一个更全面的系统升级。
  • Pinyin: Zhège ruǎnjiàn bǔdīng zhǐshì ge quányízhījì, wǒmen hái xūyào yí ge gèng quánmiàn de xìtǒng shēngjí.
  • English: This software patch is just a stopgap; we still need a more comprehensive system upgrade.
  • Analysis: Common in the tech world. The “patch” is the perfect embodiment of a `权宜之计`.
• Example 8:
  • 他们的合作只是权宜之计，一旦危机过去，联盟可能就会解散。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de hézuò zhǐshì quányízhījì, yídàn wēijī guòqù, liánméng kěnéng jiù huì jiěsàn.
  • English: Their cooperation is merely a matter of expediency; once the crisis is over, the alliance will likely dissolve.
  • Analysis: This usage implies that the foundation of the cooperation is situational and not based on long-term shared goals.
• Example 9:
  • 接受这份工作对她来说是权宜之计，因为她需要马上赚钱。
  • Pinyin: Jiēshòu zhè fèn gōngzuò duì tā lái shuō shì quányízhījì, yīnwèi tā xūyào mǎshàng zhuànqián.
  • English: Accepting this job was a stopgap measure for her, because she needed to earn money immediately.
  • Analysis: Highlights the role of urgency in forcing one to adopt a `权宜之计`.
• Example 10:
  • 你不能总依靠权宜之计来生活，你需要一个长远的规划。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zǒng yīkào quányízhījì lái shēnghuó, nǐ xūyào yí ge chángyuǎn de guīhuà.
  • English: You can't always rely on stopgap measures to get by in life; you need a long-term plan.
  • Analysis: This sentence frames the concept in a critical light, warning against a life built on only temporary fixes.

• Not just “temporary”: While `权宜之计` is temporary, its core meaning is more about expediency and situational appropriateness. The simple word `临时` (línshí) just means “temporary,” but `权宜之计` refers to the entire strategic plan or measure itself, born out of necessity.
• “Expedient” vs. `权宜之计`: The English word “expedient” can carry a strong negative connotation of being self-serving or even immoral. `权宜之计` is not inherently immoral. It's about practicality. While a plan could be both a `权宜之计` and immoral, the term itself doesn't imply it.
• Common Incorrect Usage: Learners might try to use it like an adjective or verb. It's a noun.
  • Incorrect: 这个计划很权宜之计。(Zhège jìhuà hěn quányízhījì.) - “This plan is very stopgap-measure.”
  • Correct: 这个计划只是一个权宜之计。(Zhège jìhuà zhǐshì yí ge quányízhījì.) - “This plan is just a stopgap measure.”

• `治标不治本 (zhìbiāobùzhìběn)` - To treat the symptoms but not the root cause. This is a common outcome or criticism of a plan that is only a `权宜之计`.
• `缓兵之计 (huǎnbīngzhījì)` - A delaying tactic (lit. “plan to slow the troops”). A specific type of `权宜之计` whose primary goal is to buy time.
• `饮鸩止渴 (yǐnzhènzhǐkě)` - To drink poison to quench thirst. This describes a disastrous `权宜之计`, where the temporary solution causes even greater harm in the long run.
• `临时 (línshí)` - Temporary, provisional. A simple adjective. A `权宜之计` is a type of `临时` plan.
• `不得已 (bùdéyǐ)` - To have no choice but to; have to. This adverb often explains the reason for resorting to a `权宜之计`.
• `灵活 (línghuó)` - Flexible, agile. A positive trait that enables one to devise a good `权宜之计` when needed.
• `妥协 (tuǒxié)` - Compromise. While both involve finding a non-ideal solution, a compromise is a mutual agreement between parties, whereas a `权宜之计` is a strategic plan, often made by a single party in response to circumstances.
• `策略 (cèlüè)` - Strategy. `权宜之计` can be thought of as a short-term, situational `策略`.