技法 (jì fǎ) — technique and method (in art, craft, or performance)

Definition

技法 refers to the concrete 'technique and method' used in a skilled art or craft — painting, calligraphy, cooking — not a general-purpose strategy (use 方法 for that).

noun
technique and method (in art, craft, or performance)

Examples

  • 技法。
    Tā de huì huà jì fǎ fēi cháng dú tè.
    His painting technique is very unique.
  • 技法。
    Xué xí shū fǎ xū yào zhǎng wò jī běn de jì fǎ.
    Learning calligraphy requires mastering basic techniques.
  • 技法。
    Zhè zhǒng pēng rèn jì fǎ yuán zì sì chuān.
    This cooking technique originates from Sichuan.

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.

技jìtechnique
法fǎmethod

技 names skill or technique, and 法 names method; together they refer to technical methods.

Characters in this word

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
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
支
支zhī技jì
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.

Open 技 →

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
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
廌廌zhìa type of antelope or caprid
Sound part声符shēngfú
盍
盍hé法fǎ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

法's older form combined 氵 (water) and 廌 (a type of antelope or caprid), with 盍 as a sound part; later 廌 was dropped.

Open 法 →

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