Translation guide
The practice of taking advantage of situations for personal gain, often without regard for principles or consequences. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through words that emphasize exploiting chances, self-interest, or situational ethics.
Describing a person or action that takes advantage of any opportunity for self-benefit, often with a negative connotation.
Literally 'wait-and-see-ism', this is the most direct translation for opportunism as a political or personal stance of adapting to circumstances for advantage.
彼の日和見主義的な態度にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his opportunistic attitude.
Means 'convenience-ism', implying acting according to what is convenient for oneself at the moment, often used in criticism.
それはご都合主義の言い分だ。
That's an opportunistic argument.
Direct loanword from English, used mainly in political or academic contexts.
彼はオポチュニズムで批判された。
He was criticized for opportunism.
Focusing on the act of taking advantage of a particular situation, often with a verb or phrase.
Neutral phrase meaning 'to take advantage of an opportunity'. Can be used positively or negatively depending on context.
彼はその混乱に乗じて機会を利用した。
He took advantage of the opportunity amid the chaos.
Idiom meaning 'to take advantage of someone's weakness', often in business or negotiation.
彼はこちらの弱みに付け込んで足元を見てきた。
He acted opportunistically, exploiting our weakness.
Verb meaning 'to take advantage of' or 'to exploit' a situation or person's vulnerability.
Describing a person who habitually acts out of opportunism.
An opportunist; someone who adopts a wait-and-see approach to align with the winning side.
彼は日和見主義者だから信用できない。
He's an opportunist, so I can't trust him.
Literally 'weathercock', metaphor for a person who changes opinions or loyalties based on which way the wind blows.
あいつは風見鶏だ。
That guy is an opportunist.
日和見主義 implies a strategic, often political, stance of waiting to see which side will win before committing. ご都合主義 is more about personal convenience and selfishly changing principles to suit one's immediate needs.
Directly translating 'opportunism' as 機会主義 is not common and may not be understood. Stick to the established terms above.
Don't act opportunistically by exploiting people's goodwill.