Chinese word

才艺

Pronunciation

Pinyincái yì

Meaning

  • nountalent

Example

她有很好的才艺，常常参加演出。tā yǒu hěn hǎo de cái yì cháng cháng cān jiā yǎn chū

She has great talent and often takes part in performances.

Illustration for 才艺 (talent)

More examples

为了准备晚会，他每天练习才艺一小时。wèi le zhǔn bèi wǎn huì tā měi tiān liàn xí cái yì yì xiǎo shí

To prepare for the evening show, he practices his talent for an hour every day.

Core concept

A visible form of personal ability, shaped by practice and expressed through performance or creative work.

Common phrases

  • 练习才艺liàn xí cái yì

    practice one's talent

  • 发挥才艺fā huī cái yì

    showcase one's talent

  • 提高才艺tí gāo cái yì

    improve one's skills

Similar words

特长tè cháng: A strong personal skill or area of ability, often useful in hobbies or work.
才能cái néng: A developed or natural ability for creating, expressing, or doing something well.
技能jì néng: The practical ability to use a technique or carry out a learned task.
本领bén lǐng: The useful skill and ability needed to handle things successfully.

Definition in Chinese

指能在表演或制作中展示的个人艺术或技能，既包括天赋也包括通过练习获得的技艺。zhǐ néng zài biáo yǎn huò zhì zuò zhōng zhǎn shì de gè rén yì shù huò jì néng jì bāo kuò tiān fù yě bāo kuò tōng guò liàn xí huò dé de jì yì

Word origin

The compound 才艺 (cáiyì, "talent and artistic skill") combines 才 (cái, "ability") with 艺 (yì, "art or skill") to describe ability expressed through an acquired or natural skill.

Usage tips

  • For English speakers, the word can suggest a broad ability, but everyday Chinese commonly uses it for singing, dancing, instruments, drawing, crafts, and similar activities.

Other meanings

  • performing artsnoun
  • skillnoun

Related words

  • 才艺培训cái yì péi xùntalent trainingnoun
  • 才艺比赛cái yì bǐ sàitalent competitionnoun

Word lists with this word