手眼 (shǒu yǎn) — resourcefulness; ability to get things done through connections or influence; hand-eye coordination (literal)

Definition

Almost always appears in the set phrase 手眼通天, meaning someone is extremely resourceful and well-connected — able to get anything done. The literal 'hand-eye coordination' sense (as in surgery) is much less common.

noun
resourcefulnessability to get things done through connections or influencehand-eye coordination (literal)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 手眼，。
    Tā zài zhè ge háng yè shǒu yǎn tōng tiān, shén me nán tí dōu néng jiě jué.
    He has powerful connections in this industry and can solve any problem.
  • 手眼。
    Zuò shǒu shù xū yào hěn hǎo de shǒu yǎn pèi hé.
    Performing surgery requires excellent hand-eye coordination.
  • ，手眼，。
    Bié xiǎo kàn tā, tā de shǒu yǎn hěn lì hài, zǒng néng zhǎo dào mén lù.
    Don't underestimate him — he's very resourceful and always finds a way.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

手shǒuhand
眼yǎneye

手 names the hand and 眼 names the eye; together they suggest quick coordinated action.

Characters in this word

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

手 draws a five-fingered human hand: the top line is a bent middle finger, and the horizontal lines show the other four fingers.

Open 手 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
目目mùeye
Sound part声符shēngfú
艮
艮gèn眼yǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

眼 combines 目, which is an eye, with 艮, which gives the character's sound.

Open 眼 →

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