It’s a compelling idea: that the Chinese word for “crisis” is composed of two ideographs—one for danger (危) and one for opportunity (机). Popularized in Western business and political rhetoric, this interpretation has been used to inspire resilience, innovation, and optimism in the face of adversity. But linguistically, it’s a myth.
The Myth and the Meaning
The Chinese word for crisis is 危机 (wēijī). While 危 does mean “danger,” 机 is more nuanced. It refers to a “crucial point,” “incipient moment,” or “mechanism”—not “opportunity” in the standalone sense. The word for opportunity is 机会 (jīhuì), where 机 is paired with 会, meaning “meeting” or “chance.”
So no, 危机 doesn’t literally mean “danger + opportunity.” But the myth persists because it captures something psychologically true: a crisis is a moment of heightened stakes, where the outcome is not yet determined.
The Fork in the Road
Crisis is a threshold—a moment when systems strain, assumptions collapse, and decisions carry disproportionate weight. It’s not inherently redemptive or destructive. It’s volatile. And volatility, by definition, contains both risk and potential.
- A business facing a cash crunch might fold—or reinvent its model.
- A leader under scrutiny might double down—or evolve.
- A personal setback might spiral—or catalyze growth.
The difference lies in response.
Strategic Response in Crisis
From a strategic lens, responding to crisis requires:
- Clarity: What’s actually at stake? What’s noise versus signal?
- Speed and Sequencing: What must be addressed immediately, and what can wait?
- Adaptability: Are you willing to revise assumptions, models, or roles?
- Communication: Can you align stakeholders around a shared understanding of the moment?
These are not just survival tactics—they’re the seeds of transformation.
Opportunity Is Not Given—It’s Made
Opportunity doesn’t reside in the crisis itself. It emerges from how we frame, engage, and act within it. That’s why the myth endures: not because it’s linguistically accurate, but because it’s strategically resonant.
A crisis is a pivot point. It can lead to collapse or breakthrough. The ideographs may not say “danger + opportunity,” but the moment often feels like both.