Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
高手 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
高手gāoshǒuexpertHSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #4332, Hard
高手gāoshǒupast masterHSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #4332, Hard
高手gāoshǒudab handHSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #4332, Hard
gāoshǒu(gao1shou3)gao shou T1
  1. 1expert
  2. 2past master
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

高手gāoshǒu(gao1shou3)

高手 (gāo shǒu) refers to an expert or master in a particular field, often implying a high level of skill and proficiency. It is commonly used in contexts such as sports, arts, or professions to denote someone who excels and is respected for their abilities.

Strokes14Frequency#4332DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of mastery is highly esteemed, often reflected in the arts, martial arts, and traditional crafts. Being labeled as a 高手 carries significant respect and can impact one's social standing.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall (高, gāo) person with a skilled hand (手, shǒu) performing a magical trick. This visual of a 'tall expert with a skilled hand' can help you remember that 高手 means expert.

Meanings of 高手

gāoshǒu(gao1shou3)
1expert
2past master
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 高手 means.

About 高手

高手Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 高手

JasonAmy

Podcast: 高手

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 高手

Quick Contrast

高手 (gāoshǒu) vs 达人 (dárén) — use 高手 when emphasizing technical skill or expertise, while 达人 often conveys a sense of being a master in a broader, more cultural or lifestyle context.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 高手 in overly casual contexts or mispronouncing the tones. It's important to use this term in situations where someone's skill is genuinely recognized, as it can sound overly flattering if misused. Be mindful of the tone for '高' (first tone) and '手' (third tone).

HSK Study Tips

As a word that may not appear in the lower HSK levels, focus on recognizing it as an indicator of expertise. It connects with other HSK vocabulary about professions and skills, enhancing your ability to discuss expertise in various contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 高手 with just 'good at something' and use it too casually, such as saying '我很高手' (wǒ hěn gāo shǒu) instead of '我很擅长' (wǒ hěn shàncháng). Use 高手 only for recognized experts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 高手

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 高手 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 高手 to You

Let me explain 高手 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 高手 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 高手?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 高手 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

高gāohigh
HSK 210 strokes高
View full entry
手shǒuhand
HSK 24 strokes手
View full entry

How to say expert in Chinese

“expert” in Chinese is高手gāoshǒu

高手 (gāo shǒu) refers to an expert or master in a particular field, often implying a high level of skill and proficiency. It is commonly used in contexts such as sports, arts, or professions to denote someone who excels and is respected for their abilities.

When to use 高手

Common mistakes include using 高手 in overly casual contexts or mispronouncing the tones. It's important to use this term in situations where someone's skill is genuinely recognized, as it can sound overly flattering if misused. Be mindful of the tone for '高' (first tone) and '手' (third tone).

高手 or something close to it

高手 (gāoshǒu) vs 达人 (dárén) — use 高手 when emphasizing technical skill or expertise, while 达人 often conveys a sense of being a master in a broader, more cultural or lifestyle context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 高手 with just 'good at something' and use it too casually, such as saying '我很高手' (wǒ hěn gāo shǒu) instead of '我很擅长' (wǒ hěn shàncháng). Use 高手 only for recognized experts.

Write 高手

高
手

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 高手?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 高手

It's best to reserve 高手 for areas where the person is truly exceptional, like a master chef or a skilled musician.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 高手?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab