臨機応変

Reading

Kana: りんきおうへん

Romaji: rinkiouhen

Definition

noun

adj-no

1

adapting oneself to the requirements of the moment; playing it by ear; ad hoc

Note: yojijukugo

Kanji

臨

Readings: リン、 のぞ.む

Meanings: look to, face, meet, confront, attend, call on

機

Readings: キ、 はた

Meanings: loom, mechanism, machine, airplane, opportunity, potency, efficacy, occasion

応

Readings: オウ、 ヨウ、 -ノウ、 あた.る、 まさに、 こた.える

Meanings: apply, answer, yes, OK, reply, accept

変

Readings: ヘン、 か.わる、 か.わり、 か.える

Meanings: unusual, change, strange

Example Sentences

彼(かれ)は臨機応変(りんきおうへん)の処置(しょち)を取(と)った。

➥He took the proper steps to meet the situation.

何(なに)か実際(じっさい)に起(お)これば、私(わたし)は臨機応変(りんきおうへん)にやるだけだ。

➥If something does happen, I'll just play it by ear.

まさに臨機応変(りんきおうへん)の対応(たいおう)。見事(みごと)というべきだね。

➥He handled things wonderfully, playing it by ear the whole way. I have to say he did an excellent job.

面接(めんせつ)では君(きみ)は臨機応変(りんきおうへん)に答(こた)えなくてはならないでしょう。

➥You'll have to play it by ear at the interview.