一技之长 (yī jì zhī cháng) — a specialized skill; proficiency in a particula…

Definition

A chengyu meaning 'one particular skill' — emphasizes a single, marketable strength a person has. Pairs naturally with verbs like 有, 靠, 掌握.

phrase

a specialized skillproficiency in a particular field (idiom)

一技之长，。
Měi gè rén zuì hǎo dōu yǒu yì mén yī jì zhī cháng, zhè yàng zhǎo gōng zuò gèng róng yì.
Everyone should ideally have a specialized skill, so that finding a job is easier.
一技之长。
Tā kào yī jì zhī cháng zài gōng sī lǐ hěn yǒu yòng.
He is very useful in the company because of his specialized skill.
一技之长。
Zhǎng wò yī jì zhī cháng xū yào cháng shí jiān de liàn xí.
Mastering a specialized skill requires long-term practice.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

扌支技

Meaning part形符xíngfú

扌Written in full as手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

支

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

技 pairs 扌 (hand) with 支, which gives the sound. The hand part fits the idea of skill or ability done with the hands.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 長; 长 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 長 pictures an old man with long hair. The simplified 长 is a later shorthand, so its strokes do not show that original picture.

Appears in