Chinese word

顺手

Pronunciation

Pinyinshùn shǒu

Meaning

  • adjectivehandy

Example

这把刀很顺手，我很喜欢。zhè bǎ dāo hěn shùn shǒu wǒ hěn xǐ huān

This knife is very handy, and I really like it.

Illustration for 顺手 (handy)

More examples

这款软件更新后，使用起来很顺手。zhè kuǎn ruǎn jiàn gēng xīn hòu shǐ yòng qǐ lái hěn shùn shǒu

After the software update, this software is very easy to use.

Core concept

The hand finds a natural path, so movements stay steady and the job takes little effort.

Common phrases

  • 使用起来顺手shǐ yòng qǐ lái shùn shǒu

    easy to use

  • 操作起来顺手cāo zuò qǐ lái shùn shǒu

    easy to handle

  • 用起来顺手yòng qǐ lái shùn shǒu

    easy to use

Similar words

好用hǎo yòng: Practical and easy to use for a particular purpose.
方便fāng biàn: Helping tasks get done more easily with less time or work.
便利biàn lì: Serving a useful purpose while remaining simple to handle or use.
轻便qīng biàn: Easy to carry or manage because of its low weight or small size.

Definition in Chinese

做事时动作流畅，符合习惯，容易完成。zuò shì shí dòng zuò liú chàng fú hé xí guàn róng yì wán chéng

Word origin

顺 (shùn, "smooth") + 手 (shǒu, "hand") links smooth progress to the hand's movement and then to anything that feels natural to use.

Usage tips

  • A familiar tool can fit this description even when it is not advanced, while a sophisticated tool may fail to fit if its controls feel awkward.

Other meanings

  • easy to useadjective
  • easy to handleadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 顺手牵羊shùn shǒu qiān yángsteal opportunisticallyidiom
  • 顺手拈来shùn shǒu niān láitake out effortlesslyidiom

Word lists with this word