Meaning
手艺 refers to manual skills, craftsmanship, or the technical ability to make things by hand. It emphasizes the practical, hands-on expertise developed through practice and experience, often in traditional trades or artistic crafts. The word carries connotations of mastery and quality workmanship passed down through apprenticeship or long practice.
Usage
手艺 is commonly used to praise someone's skill in manual work, cooking, carpentry, tailoring, or traditional crafts. It can refer both to the skill itself and to the quality of work produced. Often used in phrases like '手艺好' (good craftsmanship) or '学手艺' (learn a trade). The term has a slightly traditional or folk flavor, though it's used in modern contexts as well.
Examples
- 01我爷爷做木工的手艺非常好。.My grandfather's carpentry skills are excellent.
- 02她从小跟父亲学做菜的手艺。.She learned cooking skills from her father since childhood.
Characters
Measure words
- 门一门手艺
- 种这种手艺
Common collocations
- 手艺好good craftsmanship
- 学手艺learn a trade/craft
- 传统手艺traditional craft
- 手艺人craftsman, artisan
Origin
Literally 'hand art' or 'hand skill,' combining 手 (hand) with 艺 (art/craft), emphasizing the manual nature of the skill. The term has been used for centuries to describe traditional crafts and trades.