Chinese word

一技之长

Pronunciation

Pinyinyī jì zhī cháng

Meaning

  • nounspecial skill

Example

他的一技之长是修电脑。tā de yí jì zhī cháng shì xiū diàn nǎo

His special skill is repairing computers.

Illustration for 一技之长 (special skill)

More examples

他靠一技之长吃饭，生活比以前稳定了。tā kào yí jì zhī cháng chī fàn shēng huó bǐ yǐ qián wěn dìng le

He makes a living with his special skill, and his life is more stable than before.

Core concept

One well-developed skill stands out as a person's defining strong point.

Common phrases

  • 靠一技之长吃饭kào yí jì zhī cháng chī fàn

    make a living with one's special skill

  • 凭借一技之长píng jiè yí jì zhī cháng

    rely on one's special skill

  • 展示一技之长zhǎn shì yí jì zhī cháng

    showcase one's special skill

Similar words

特长tè cháng: A skill or talent that is a person's particular strong point in daily life.
拿手ná shǒu: A skill or activity that a person performs with special ease and ability.
专长zhuān cháng: Deep, specialized skill or knowledge built through extended learning or experience.
长处cháng chù: A positive feature or strength in a person's character or abilities.

Definition in Chinese

擅长一项技术或技能，具有明显的个人特长。shàn cháng yí xiàng jì shù huò jì néng jù yǒu míng xiǎn de gè rén tè cháng

Word origin

一技之长 (yījìzhīcháng, "one skill's strength") combines 一 (yī, "one") + 技 (jì, "skill") + 之 (zhī, "of") + 长 (cháng, "strength") to name a person's standout skill.

Usage tips

  • The expression focuses on a personal ability rather than a job title, so it can describe a useful talent without defining someone's whole profession.

Other meanings

  • strengthnoun
  • specialtynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word