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一手 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一手yìshǒua skillHSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, rank #11018, Very Hard
一手yìshǒumastery of a tradeHSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, rank #11018, Very Hard
一手yìshǒuby oneselfHSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, rank #11018, Very Hard
一手yìshǒuwithout outside helpHSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, rank #11018, Very Hard
yìshǒu(yi4shou3)yi shou T1
  1. 1a skill
  2. 2mastery of a trade
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March 24, 2026

一手yìshǒu(yi4shou3)

The term '一手' refers to a skill or mastery of a particular trade or craft. It can also denote doing something by oneself, without any external assistance. This phrase is often used to emphasize a person's self-sufficiency and expertise in a specific area.

Strokes5Frequency#11018DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the idea of mastering a skill is highly valued, often associated with traditional crafts and trades. The phrase '一手' reflects the importance of individual craftsmanship and the respect given to those who excel in their fields.

Memory tip

Imagine a skilled craftsman using just one hand (一手) to create a masterpiece. The character 一 (one) reminds you of the singular focus and self-reliance required to master a skill. Visualize a hand performing a delicate task to reinforce the connection between the character and its meaning.

Meanings of 一手

yìshǒu(yi4shou3)
1a skill
2mastery of a trade
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About 一手

一手Simplified
5Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

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Podcast: 一手

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AI study notes for 一手

Quick Contrast

一手 (yìshǒu) vs 亲手 (qīnshǒu) — use 一手 when emphasizing skill or mastery, while 亲手 focuses on doing something personally or by one's own hands.

Usage Notes

'一手' is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts, often in discussions about skills or professions. A common mistake is to confuse it with '一手货' (yīshǒu huò), which means 'first-hand goods', so be careful with context. Remember that '一手' emphasizes the self-reliance aspect.

HSK Study Tips

The word '一手' is not specifically listed in HSK levels, but it is useful for intermediate learners as it connects to themes of skills and self-sufficiency. Students should focus on using it in contexts that highlight personal expertise or the ability to handle tasks independently.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse '一手' by applying it to collective achievements, such as saying '我们一手完成' (We completed it by ourselves), which is incorrect. The correct phrase would be '我一手完成' (I completed it by myself).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一手

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Component characters

一yīone
HSK 11 strokes一
View full entry
手shǒuhand
HSK 24 strokes手
View full entry

How to say a skill in Chinese

“a skill” in Chinese is一手yìshǒu

The term '一手' refers to a skill or mastery of a particular trade or craft. It can also denote doing something by oneself, without any external assistance. This phrase is often used to emphasize a person's self-sufficiency and expertise in a specific area.

When to use 一手

'一手' is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts, often in discussions about skills or professions. A common mistake is to confuse it with '一手货' (yīshǒu huò), which means 'first-hand goods', so be careful with context. Remember that '一手' emphasizes the self-reliance aspect.

一手 or something close to it

一手 (yìshǒu) vs 亲手 (qīnshǒu) — use 一手 when emphasizing skill or mastery, while 亲手 focuses on doing something personally or by one's own hands.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse '一手' by applying it to collective achievements, such as saying '我们一手完成' (We completed it by ourselves), which is incorrect. The correct phrase would be '我一手完成' (I completed it by myself).

Write 一手

一
手

Practice writing 一手 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently asked questions about 一手

No, '一手' emphasizes individual skills and self-reliance, so it does not apply to teamwork.

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