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March 24, 2026
手艺(手藝)shǒuyì(shou3yi4)
手艺 refers to the skill or craftsmanship involved in making or doing something, often with hands. It encompasses various trades and artisanal practices, highlighting the quality and technique that artisans apply to their work.
Frequency#9675DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, craftsmanship is highly valued, often passed down through generations. Traditional crafts like pottery, calligraphy, and weaving are celebrated, and festivals may showcase artisans demonstrating their 手艺.
Memory Tip
Imagine a craftsman (手) carefully shaping a piece of art, showcasing his unique skills (艺). The character 手 represents 'hand,' while 艺 suggests 'art' or 'skill.' Visualize your own hands creating something beautiful to remember this connection.
Meanings of 手艺
shǒuyì(shou3yi4)
1craftmanship
2workmanship
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 手艺
手艺Simplified
手藝Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9675Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 手艺
Podcast: 手艺
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AI Study Notes for 手艺
Quick Contrast
手艺 (skill/craftsmanship) vs 技艺 (artistic skill) — choose 手艺 for practical craftsmanship, while 技艺 emphasizes artistic or performance skills.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a craftsman (手) carefully shaping a piece of art, showcasing his unique skills (艺). The character 手 represents 'hand,' while 艺 suggests 'art' or 'skill.' Visualize your own hands creating something beautiful to remember this connection.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 手艺 with 技能 (skill), which is broader and not necessarily craft-related. Use 手艺 in informal contexts when referring to hobbies or artisanal skills, while 技能 is more formal, often used in professional settings. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone in 手 (shǒu) can be easily mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
As a Level 6 word, 手艺 connects well with other terms related to skills and professions, such as 技能 (jìnéng) and 职业 (zhíyè). Students should focus on the context of craftsmanship and its applications in various fields.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, craftsmanship is highly valued, often passed down through generations. Traditional crafts like pottery, calligraphy, and weaving are celebrated, and festivals may showcase artisans demonstrating their 手艺.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 手艺 when referring to general skills, saying '他的手艺很好' when they mean '他的技能很好.' Always use 手艺 for craftsmanship and specific trades.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 手艺
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Grammar Patterns of 手艺
手艺 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 4 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.
Apollo, you see, is bestowing the razor on the Triptolemus of our craft.
6
美甲师修锉指甲的手艺娴熟。
měi jiǎ shī xiū cuò zhǐ jiǎ de shǒu yì xián shú。
Manicurists are skilled at shaping and filing nails.
Cultural Notes for 手艺
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, craftsmanship is highly valued, often passed down through generations. Traditional crafts like pottery, calligraphy, and weaving are celebrated, and festivals may showcase artisans demonstrating their 手艺.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While craftsmanship is appreciated in both Chinese and Western cultures, in China, there is often a deeper reverence for the traditions and history behind the craft, whereas Western cultures may focus more on innovation and individual expression.
Frequently Asked Questions about 手艺
No, 手艺 specifically refers to crafts and artisanal skills, not just any type of skill.
While it often refers to traditional crafts, it can also apply to modern trades and artistic skills.
You could say: '他的手艺非常好,' meaning 'His craftsmanship is excellent.'
