Definition
手臂 (shǒu bì) refers to the full arm (shoulder to hand) and is more formal/anatomical than the everyday word 胳膊, which usually just means the upper arm. Figuratively, it means a capable assistant in formal contexts (e.g., 左膀右臂); for a general helper use 帮手, and for a professional assistant use 助手.
noun
arm (body part)helpercapable assistant (figurative)
Examples
- 手臂，。Tā de shǒu bì shòushāng le, bù néng xiě zì.His arm is injured and he can't write.
- 。Zhège xiàngmù chénggōng wánquán kào tā de zuǒbǎng-yòushǒu bì.The success of this project depends entirely on his right-hand assistants.
- 手臂。Tā yòng shǒu bì cā diào liǎn shàng de hàn.She used her arm to wipe the sweat off her face.
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