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March 24, 2026
手工shǒugōng(shou3gong1)
手工 (shǒugōng) refers to work done by hand, emphasizing the manual aspect of making or crafting items. It is commonly used in contexts such as crafts, handmade goods, and activities that require skillful hand movements, contrasting with machine-made or automated processes.
Frequency#7263DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, handcrafting is highly valued, often seen in traditional arts such as calligraphy, pottery, and weaving. Festivals and markets often feature handmade goods, reflecting the appreciation for craftsmanship.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pair of hands (手, shǒu) skillfully crafting something beautiful, where the '工' (gōng) represents the craftsmanship involved. Picture a workshop filled with tools and materials, where each creation is a testament to the labor done by these hands.
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AI Study Notes for 手工
Quick Contrast
手艺 (shǒuyì) refers more specifically to the skill or craft involved in manual work, while 手工 (shǒugōng) emphasizes the act of doing work by hand.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of hands (手, shǒu) skillfully crafting something beautiful, where the '工' (gōng) represents the craftsmanship involved. Picture a workshop filled with tools and materials, where each creation is a testament to the labor done by these hands.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 手工 with machinery-related terms, as this word emphasizes human effort. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in education and artisan settings. Common collocations include '手工艺' (handicraft) and '手工制作' (handmade).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 手工 connects with other terms related to craftsmanship and skills. Students should focus on using it in sentences that highlight the contrast between manual and machine-made items, and practice related vocabulary like '工艺' (craftsmanship).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, handcrafting is highly valued, often seen in traditional arts such as calligraphy, pottery, and weaving. Festivals and markets often feature handmade goods, reflecting the appreciation for craftsmanship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 手工 to refer to any kind of work, including automated processes. For example, saying '手工机器' (manual machine) is incorrect; it should be '手工制作' (handmade).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 手工
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Grammar Patterns of 手工
手工 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她是几个小企业和小____艺者的资助人。
She is a patron of small businesses and trades.
Example Sentences for 手工 (9)
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1
她是几个小企业和小手工艺者的资助人。
tā shì jī gè xiǎo qǐ yè hé xiǎo shǒu gōng yì zhě de zī zhù rén。
Cloth, paper cutting, embroidery and other famous folk arts and crafts.
Cultural Notes for 手工
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, handcrafting is highly valued, often seen in traditional arts such as calligraphy, pottery, and weaving. Festivals and markets often feature handmade goods, reflecting the appreciation for craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions about 手工
手工 activities can include knitting, pottery, woodworking, and various forms of art that require manual skills.
While it primarily refers to crafts, 手工 can also describe any work done manually, such as hand-assembled products.
