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新手 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
新手xīnshǒunew handHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #9695, Very Hard
新手xīnshǒunoviceHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #9695, Very Hard
新手xīnshǒuraw recruitHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #9695, Very Hard
xīnshǒu(xin1shou3)xin shou T1
  1. 1new hand
  2. 2novice
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March 24, 2026

新手xīnshǒu(xin1shou3)

The term '新手' refers to someone who is inexperienced or new to a particular activity or field. It is commonly used in contexts such as gaming, job training, or any situation where someone is just starting out and may lack the necessary skills or knowledge.

Strokes17Frequency#9695DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

'新手' is often used in modern Chinese culture to describe newcomers in fast-paced environments like tech startups or esports, reflecting the rapid growth of these industries in China.

Memory tip

Think of '新' (new) as a fresh start, and '手' (hand) as the tool you use to learn. Imagine a new hand trying to grasp the basics of a skill, symbolizing a novice learning something for the first time.

Meanings of 新手

xīnshǒu(xin1shou3)
1new hand
2novice
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 新手

新手Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 新手

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AI study notes for 新手

Quick Contrast

新手 (beginner) vs 初学者 (novice) — use 新手 for a more casual context, while 初学者 is more formal and academic.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use '新手', as it can carry a slightly informal tone. Common collocations include '新手司机' (new driver) or '新手玩家' (new player). Avoid using it in overly formal situations where a more respectful term might be appropriate.

HSK Study Tips

Although '新手' is not an official HSK word, it can be encountered in various contexts. Focus on understanding its use in conversational scenarios and practice forming sentences that describe experiences of being a novice.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '新手' with '高手' (expert), leading to sentences like '我是一个高手' when they mean to say '我是一个新手' (I am a novice). Ensure you use the correct term based on your experience level.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 新手

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Component characters

新xīnnew
HSK 113 strokes斤
View full entry
手shǒuhand
HSK 24 strokes手
View full entry

How to say new hand in Chinese

“new hand” in Chinese is新手xīnshǒu

The term '新手' refers to someone who is inexperienced or new to a particular activity or field. It is commonly used in contexts such as gaming, job training, or any situation where someone is just starting out and may lack the necessary skills or knowledge.

When to use 新手

Be mindful of the context in which you use '新手', as it can carry a slightly informal tone. Common collocations include '新手司机' (new driver) or '新手玩家' (new player). Avoid using it in overly formal situations where a more respectful term might be appropriate.

新手 or something close to it

新手 (beginner) vs 初学者 (novice) — use 新手 for a more casual context, while 初学者 is more formal and academic.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse '新手' with '高手' (expert), leading to sentences like '我是一个高手' when they mean to say '我是一个新手' (I am a novice). Ensure you use the correct term based on your experience level.

Write 新手

新
手

Practice writing 新手 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently asked questions about 新手

Yes, but it may sound informal; consider using '新员工' (new employee) for a more formal context.

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