便(びんじょう)

びんじょう
noun, suru verb
taking advantage; jumping on the bandwagon
1. taking advantage; jumping on the bandwagon
Opportunistically taking advantage of a situation, trend, or someone else's success for one's own benefit.
ブームに便乗(びんじょう)する。
To jump on the bandwagon.
便乗(びんじょう)値上(ねあ)げが問題(もんだい)になっている。
Opportunistic price hikes have become a problem.
(かれ)友人(ゆうじん)成功(せいこう)便乗(びんじょう)しようとしている。
He's trying to ride on his friend's success.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ブームに便乗(びんじょう)する - to jump on a trend
  • Xに便乗(びんじょう)する - to take advantage of X
  • 便乗(びんじょう)値上(ねあ)げ - opportunistic price increase
  • 便乗(びんじょう)商法(しょうほう) - opportunistic business practices

NUANCE:
Often carries a negative or critical connotation, implying opportunism or exploitation of a situation.

ORIGIN:
Originally meant "getting a ride" (on a vehicle), but now mainly used in the figurative sense of riding on trends or others' success.

USAGE:
Pattern: Xに便乗(びんじょう)する (to take advantage of X)