Chinese Conversation · Level 28
90 words
Chinese word
手艺
Pronunciation
Pinyinshǒu yì
Meaning
- nounskill
Example
你看过她的手艺吗？真的很棒。nǐ kàn guò tā de shǒu yì ma zhēn de hěn bàng
Have you seen her skill? It is really impressive.
More examples
那位厨师的手艺吸引了很多顾客。nà wèi chú shī de shǒu yì xī yǐn le hěn duō gù kè
That chef's cooking skills attracted many customers.
Core concept
Hands-on skill developed through repeated practice and visible in the finished work.
Common phrases
民间手艺mín jiān shǒu yì
folk craftsmanship
厨师的手艺chú shī de shǒu yì
cooking skills
手艺活shǒu yì huó
handicraft
Similar words
技术jì shù: Specialized methods and knowledge used to carry out a job or task.
技能jì néng: A learned practical ability to perform a particular task well.
技艺jì yì: Refined skill in art or craft, shown through beautiful and highly skilled handiwork.
本领bén lǐng: A useful ability that allows someone to handle tasks and get things done.
Definition in Chinese
指由手工或实际操作形成的熟练本领，既可指工匠的手艺，也可指家常菜等生活技能。zhǐ yóu shǒu gōng huò shí jì cāo zuò xíng chéng de shú liàn bén lǐng jì kě zhǐ gōng jiàng de shǒu yì yě kě zhǐ jiā cháng cài děng shēng huó jì néng
Word origin
手艺 (shǒuyì, "skill") joins 手 (shǒu, "hand") with 艺 (yì, "art or skill"), linking physical work with the learned art behind it.
Usage tips
- English often uses skill for abilities such as judgment or communication, while this Chinese noun usually points to something made or done through practiced manual work.
Other meanings
- craftsmanshipnoun
- dexteritynoun
- handiworknoun
- cooking skillsnoun
Opposites
- 外行wài hángamateurnoun
Related words
- 手艺人shǒu yì rénartisannoun
- 手艺活儿shǒu yì huórhandicraftnoun