Meaning of 势

[bones]

Hi,

can someone please explain to me the meaning of 势? In the dictionary, the meaning is given as 'force / gesture / feature / tendency'. However I've come across the usage of this word in a few phrases in the story named 武松打虎, whose meaning I'm unable to grasp.

1. 武松看到老虎扑向自己，就势躲过了老虎一扑

- Is 势 here a standalone word or does it form a phrase with 躲?

2. ..., 又乘势往旁边一跳，又闪过了老虎的撞

3. ..., 马上又转变姿式，把腰胯一掀

- By the way, is it 姿式 (according to the book) or 姿势 (according to dictionary)?

Thanks.

[skylee]

For 就勢, take a look at this -> http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/cgi-bin/agrep-lindict?query=%b4%4e&category=wholerecord

22. 就勢 [jiu4shi4]4, v.i., (1) take advantage of an opportunity; (2) do s.t. that involves no extra effort.

For 乘勢, take a look at this -> http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/cgi-bin/agrep-lindict?query=%ad%bc&category=wholerecord

And this -> http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/cgi-bin/agrep-lindict?query=%b6%d5&category=wholerecord

19. 乘勢 [cheng2shi4], v.i., avail oneself of, to strike while the iron is hot.

乘勢，趁勢 take advantage of situation;

IMO in that context there is not much difference between 姿式 and 姿勢.

[yeatsea]

in the sentence you listed, the 势 means by the way , you can also understand it as follow the trend and then do something reasonable.

that is all.

势have so many different meanings. also means power and etc....

[bones]

Thanks! The links that you posted are very useful.

[calibre2001]

Very good question and answer! Now we learn just how sophisticated a simple character like 就 can be!

[jinhr]

形势 = Condition, Situation, Postion (势 = situation)

势能 = the Physical term "Potential energy" (势 = potential, positional, capable)

去势 = 阉割. castration. Removal of sexual organs. (势 = capability (of sex)...)

得势 = gain of political power/position (derogative) (势 = position, power)

失势 = lose of political power/position (势 = position, power)

势不两立 = In an innegotiable position of each other (势 = situation)

Edited October 5, 2008 at 03:05 AM by jinhr