技艺 (jì yì) — skill; art; craftsmanship | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

技艺 refers to mastery of a skill or art, especially one built through practice. Broader than 技能 (general ability) and 技巧 (a specific technique), with a stronger flavor of artistic craftsmanship.

noun

skillartcraftsmanship

Easily confused

记忆jì yìsound-aliketo remember, to recall

Examples

技艺。
Tā xué le yì mén xīn de jì yì.
She learned a new skill.
技艺。
Zhè wèi yì rén de jì yì fēi cháng chū sè.
This performer's skill is outstanding.
技艺。
Tā tōng guò duō nián de nǔ lì tí gāo le zì jǐ de jì yì.
He improved his skill through years of effort.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

The skill 技 and art 艺 together mean craftsmanship.

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.

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.

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

艹乙艺

Meaning part形符xíngfú

艹Written in full as艸cǎo

Sound part声符shēngfú

乙

乙yǐ艺yì

Same sound today

In 艺, the top 艹 points to plants, and the lower 乙 gives the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Crafts & Handiwork

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