The preposition 趁 chèn refers to seizing an opportune moment for the implementation of an action. It is followed by a short phrase or a clause explaining the situation the person seeks to take advantage of. And this grammar of 趁 chèn is usually not natural to be translated into English.
Structure
趁 + noun phrase / verb phrase
The 趁 chèn phrase can be put either at the beginning of the sentence or before the main verb.
趁年輕時，你應該多嘗試各種新事物
趁年轻时，你应该多尝试各种新事物
Chèn niánqīng shí, nǐ yīnggāi duō chángshì gèzhǒng xīn shìwù.
While you are young, you should (seize the opportunity to) try more new things.
趁火車還沒開，你現在趕快下車吧
趁火车还没开，你现在赶快下车吧
Chèn huǒchē hái méi kāi, nǐ xiànzài gǎnkuài xià chē ba.
Get off the train now while the doors are still open.
你應該趁打折的時候多買一點
你应该趁打折的时候多买一点
Nǐ yīnggāi chèn dǎzhé de shíhòu duō mǎi yìdiǎn.
You should (taking advantage of the fact that) buy more while it’s on sale.
我想趁暑假去台灣學中文
我想趁暑假去台湾学中文
Wǒ xiǎng chèn shǔjià qù Táiwān xué Zhōngwén.
I want to study Chinese in Taiwan (and I should take the opportunity) during the summer.
趁 + a clause
李先生趁下班回家的路上到超市買了幾罐啤酒
李先生趁下班回家的路上到超市买了几罐啤酒
Lǐ xiānshēng chèn xiàbān huíjiā de lùshàng dào chāoshì mǎile jǐ guàn píjiǔ.
Lǐ xiānsheng chèn xiàbān huíjiā de lùshàng dào chāoshì mǎile jǐ guàn píjiǔ.
Mr. Lee bought a few cans of beer from the supermarket on his way home from work.
她打算趁孩子出生前跟老闆請辭
她打算趁孩子出生前跟老板请辞
Tā dǎsuàn chèn hái zǐ chūshēng qián gēn lǎobǎn qǐng cí.
She plans to resign from her boss before the baby is born.
我們要不要趁這個週末去山上泡溫泉？
我们要不要趁这个周末去山上泡温泉？
Wǒmen yào bùyào chèn zhège zhōumò qù shānshàng pào wēnquán?
Should we take advantage of this weekend to go to a hot spring in the mountains?
A Song Named 趁 chèn
Lyrics from the song
趁我還有這份衝動
趁我还有这份冲动
Chèn wǒ hái yǒu zhè fèn chōngdòng.
While I still have the impulse.
趁我還沒有爛透
趁我还没有烂透
Chèn wǒ hái méiyǒu làntòu.
Before I get worse.
趁我還沒有放過我自己
趁我还没有放过我自己
Chèn wǒ hái méiyǒu fàngguò wǒ zìjǐ.
Before I give up myself.
