Chinese word

得心应手

Pronunciation

Pinyindé xīn yìng shǒu

Meaning

  • idiombe good at

Example

我对这个工作已经得心应手了。wǒ duì zhè ge gōng zuò yǐ jīng dé xīn yìng shǒu le

I am already good at this work.

Illustration for 得心应手 (be good at)

More examples

他学了几个月，就对电脑操作得心应手了。tā xué le jǐ gè yuè jiù duì diàn nǎo cāo zuò dé xīn yìng shǒu le

After studying for several months, he became adept at operating a computer.

Core concept

A task feels so familiar that understanding guides the hands directly, making the work smooth and effective.

Common phrases

  • 对工作得心应手duì gōng zuò dé xīn yìng shǒu

    be adept at one's work

  • 做事得心应手zuò shì dé xīn yìng shǒu

    handle things smoothly

Similar words

驾轻就熟jià qīng jiù shú: Perform a familiar task easily and skillfully through practice and experience.
游刃有余yóu rèn yǒu yú: Manage a task skillfully and comfortably, with plenty of ability left for difficulties.

Definition in Chinese

形容在某项技能或工作上掌握熟练，动作顺畅，能有效地完成任务。xíng róng zài mǒu xiàng jì néng huò gōng zuò shàng zhǎng wò shú liàn dòng zuò shùn chàng néng yǒu xiào dì wán chéng rèn wù

Word origin

The idiom joins 得 (dé, "obtain") + 心 (xīn, "mind") with 应 (yìng, "respond") + 手 (shǒu, "hand"), portraying mental understanding that lets the hands respond smoothly.

Usage tips

  • The idiom fits ability built through practice, so it sounds more natural for a familiar responsibility than for a single successful attempt.

Other meanings

  • handle with easeidiom

Opposites

  • 不得要领bù dé yào lǐngnot grasp the essentialsidiom
  • 手足无措shǒu zú wú cuòbe flusteredidiom

Word lists with this word