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灵巧 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
灵巧língqiǎodeftHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #17721, Very Hard
灵巧língqiǎonimbleHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #17721, Very Hard
灵巧língqiǎoingeniousHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #17721, Very Hard
língqiǎo(ling2qiao3)ling qiao T2
  1. 1deft
  2. 2nimble
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March 24, 2026

灵巧(靈巧)língqiǎo(ling2qiao3)

灵巧 (língqiǎo) refers to being deft, nimble, or ingenious in movement or thought. It is often used to describe someone who is skillful in performing tasks with grace and efficiency, or who has clever problem-solving abilities. You might use it to characterize a talented artist or a resourceful individual in a tricky situation.

Strokes12Frequency#17721DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 灵巧 is often associated with traditional crafts and arts, where skillfulness and ingenuity are highly valued, such as in calligraphy or martial arts. This reflects a broader appreciation for mastery and subtlety in performance.

Memory tip

Imagine a nimble fox (灵) cleverly navigating through a maze of obstacles (巧). The character 灵 resembles a spirit or an agile entity, while 巧 evokes the idea of crafting something skillfully, like a clever artisan. Together, they paint a picture of someone who moves through challenges with ease and intelligence.

Meanings of 灵巧

língqiǎo(ling2qiao3)
1deft
2nimble
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About 灵巧

灵巧Simplified
靈巧Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 灵巧

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AI study notes for 灵巧

Quick Contrast

灵活 (línghuó) - choose 灵巧 when emphasizing skillfulness in execution, while 灵活 focuses more on adaptability and flexibility.

Usage Notes

灵巧 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts but can lean towards a more positive connotation in formal situations. A common mistake is to confuse it with 机灵 (jīling), which means 'smart' but lacks the physical dexterity aspect. Be cautious with tone pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 灵巧 is not a specific HSK word, it connects with HSK Level 4 vocabulary related to abilities and skills, such as 能 (néng, can/be able to) and 技巧 (jìqiǎo, skill). Focus on understanding how it can describe both physical and mental deftness.

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 灵巧 in contexts that require a more general term for 'smart,' leading to sentences like '他很灵巧' (He is very clever), which sounds awkward. Instead, use '他很聪明' (He is very smart) in such contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 灵巧

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Component characters

灵língquick
HSK 77 strokes彐
View full entry
巧qiǎoopportunely
HSK 45 strokes工
View full entry

How to say deft in Chinese

“deft” in Chinese is灵巧língqiǎo

灵巧 (língqiǎo) refers to being deft, nimble, or ingenious in movement or thought. It is often used to describe someone who is skillful in performing tasks with grace and efficiency, or who has clever problem-solving abilities. You might use it to characterize a talented artist or a resourceful individual in a tricky situation.

When to use 灵巧

灵巧 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts but can lean towards a more positive connotation in formal situations. A common mistake is to confuse it with 机灵 (jīling), which means 'smart' but lacks the physical dexterity aspect. Be cautious with tone pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.

灵巧 or something close to it

灵活 (línghuó) - choose 灵巧 when emphasizing skillfulness in execution, while 灵活 focuses more on adaptability and flexibility.

What learners get wrong

Learners often use 灵巧 in contexts that require a more general term for 'smart,' leading to sentences like '他很灵巧' (He is very clever), which sounds awkward. Instead, use '他很聪明' (He is very smart) in such contexts.

Write 灵巧

灵
巧

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Frequently asked questions about 灵巧

Yes, you can use 灵巧 to describe someone who is skillful or nimble, both in physical tasks and in their thinking.

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