Keywords: 技巧, jiqiao, Chinese skill, Chinese technique, learn a skill in Chinese, how to say technique in Chinese, Chinese word for trick, driving skills, negotiation skills, life hack in Chinese.
Summary: Discover the meaning of 技巧 (jìqiǎo), a fundamental Chinese word for “skill” or “technique.” This page explains how 技巧 refers not just to an ability, but to a specific, often clever, method for accomplishing a task. Whether you're learning about driving skills, negotiation techniques, or just a clever “trick” to solve a problem, understanding 技巧 (jìqiǎo) is essential for describing how things are done effectively in Chinese.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): jìqiǎo
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: A specific skill, technique, or clever method for doing something.
In a Nutshell: Think of 技巧 (jìqiǎo) as a “smart skill” or a “pro tip.” It's not about raw talent or general ability; it's about the specific how-to. It's the clever footwork a soccer player uses, the special way a chef chops vegetables, or the tactical phrases used in a negotiation. It implies that the skill is learnable, practical, and often involves a degree of cleverness or finesse.
Character Breakdown
技 (jì): This character is composed of the “hand” radical (扌) on the left and a phonetic component on the right. The hand radical immediately signals that this character is related to an action, craft, or skill performed with the hands. It means “skill,” “ability,” or “technique.”
巧 (qiǎo): This character means “skillful,” “clever,” “artful,” or “opportune.” It suggests ingenuity and dexterity, not just brute force.
When combined, 技巧 (jìqiǎo) literally translates to “skillful technique” or “clever skill.” The word emphasizes a refined, intelligent, and effective method for doing something, separating it from general ability or raw power.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, there is immense value placed on mastery through diligent practice and the application of clever methods. 技巧 (jìqiǎo) embodies this principle. It reflects a belief that success is not just a matter of innate talent but of finding and perfecting the right techniques. This is visible in everything from calligraphy and martial arts (功夫, gōngfu) to business strategy and cooking.
Contrast with Western “Talent”: While Western culture often romanticizes the idea of a “natural-born talent,” the concept of 技巧 is more democratic. It suggests that excellence is accessible to anyone who is willing to learn, practice, and apply the right methods. It's less about being “gifted” and more about being “skilled” through intelligent effort. For example, a great public speaker isn't just “charismatic”; they have mastered specific speaking 技巧 (演讲技巧). This focus on learnable techniques is a cornerstone of Chinese pedagogy and self-improvement philosophy.
Practical Usage in Modern China
技巧 is an extremely common and versatile word used in many aspects of modern life.
Daily Conversation: People use it to ask for or share tips (“life hacks”). For instance, you might ask a friend for their gaming 技巧 (游戏技巧) or cooking 技巧 (烹饪技巧).
Professional Settings: In the workplace, it's crucial. You'll hear about 谈判技巧 (tánpàn jìqiǎo - negotiation techniques), 销售技巧 (xiāoshòu jìqiǎo - sales techniques), and 管理技巧 (guǎnlǐ jìqiǎo - management techniques). It refers to the specific strategies that lead to success.
Education and Learning: Students often share 考试技巧 (kǎoshì jìqiǎo - exam-taking techniques) or 学习技巧 (xuéxí jìqiǎo - study skills) to work more efficiently.
Connotation: The word is overwhelmingly positive or neutral. It praises cleverness and effectiveness. The only time it might feel slightly negative is if it implies a “trick” used to gain an unfair advantage, but this is a much rarer usage.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他有很多解决问题的技巧。
Pinyin: Tā yǒu hěn duō jiějué wèntí de jìqiǎo.
English: He has a lot of techniques for solving problems.
Analysis: This is a general use, showing that 技巧 can refer to mental or strategic methods, not just physical ones.
Example 2:
你能教我一些拍照的技巧吗？
Pinyin: Nǐ néng jiāo wǒ yīxiē pāizhào de jìqiǎo ma?
English: Can you teach me some photography skills/tricks?
Analysis: A perfect example of asking for practical “tips” or “tricks of the trade.” The speaker wants to know the specific methods for taking better pictures.
Example 3:
这位篮球运动员的投篮技巧非常高超。
Pinyin: Zhè wèi lánqiú yùndòngyuán de tóulán jìqiǎo fēicháng gāochāo.
English: This basketball player's shooting technique is superb.
Analysis: Here, 技巧 refers to the specific, practiced physical form and method of shooting the ball.
English: Learning a new language requires patience and the right techniques.
Analysis: This highlights that language learning isn't just memorization; it involves strategies (e.g., spaced repetition, active recall), which are types of 技巧.
English: My mom has some cooking techniques that make food more fragrant.
Analysis: This is a warm, colloquial use. It refers to those little “secrets” or special steps in a recipe that make a big difference.
Example 7:
他的驾驶技巧很好，所以坐在他的车里很安全。
Pinyin: Tā de jiàshǐ jìqiǎo hěn hǎo, suǒyǐ zuò zài tā de chē lǐ hěn ānquán.
English: His driving skills are very good, so it feels safe to be in his car.
Analysis: A very common, everyday use. “Driving skills” is a perfect translation for 驾驶技巧.
Example 8:
这本书介绍了很多实用的写作技巧。
Pinyin: Zhè běn shū jièshào le hěn duō shíyòng de xiězuò jìqiǎo.
English: This book introduces many practical writing techniques.
Analysis: 技巧 is used here to describe learnable methods for improving one's writing, such as how to structure a paragraph or use metaphors.
Example 9:
掌握一些基本的面试技巧可以增加你被录用的机会。
Pinyin: Zhǎngwò yīxiē jīběn de miànshì jìqiǎo kěyǐ zēngjiā nǐ bèi lùyòng de jīhuì.
English: Mastering some basic interview techniques can increase your chances of being hired.
Analysis: This shows 技巧 as a set of learnable strategies for a specific event (a job interview).
Example 10:
她运用了一点小技巧，很快就打开了那个锁。
Pinyin: Tā yùnyòng le yīdiǎn xiǎo jìqiǎo, hěn kuài jiù dǎkāi le nàge suǒ.
English: She used a little trick and quickly opened that lock.
Analysis: The use of 小 (xiǎo - small) before 技巧 often gives it the meaning of a “small trick” or “clever hack.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 技巧 from similar words like 技术 (jìshù) and 能力 (nénglì).
技巧 (jìqiǎo): A specific, clever technique or “trick.” It's the “how-to.”
Correct: 他的运球技巧很棒。(His dribbling technique is great.)
技术 (jìshù): Technology or a broader, more formal technical skill. It's the “field” of knowledge.
Correct: 他在研究人工智能技术。(He is researching artificial intelligence technology.)
Incorrect: 他的运球技术很棒。 (While not strictly wrong, 技巧 is much more precise and common for a specific action like dribbling.)
能力 (nénglì): General ability, capability, or competence. It's about a person's overall potential or capacity.
Correct: 他有很强的学习能力。(He has a strong learning ability.)
Incorrect: 他有很强的学习技巧。(This is awkward. You would say he uses good study techniques (学习技巧), but his overall ability is 能力.)
False Friend: “Trick”
While 技巧 can be translated as “trick,” it rarely has the negative connotation of deception or magic that “trick” can have in English. A 技巧 is a legitimate and clever way to do something better. A more accurate English equivalent for this sense is “knack,” “pro tip,” or “life hack.”
Related Terms and Concepts
技术 (jìshù) - Technology; a broader, more systematic or scientific field of skill.
能力 (nénglì) - Ability; a person's innate or overall capacity to do something.
方法 (fāngfǎ) - Method; a general, neutral term for a way of doing something. 技巧 is a type of 方法, but usually a more clever or skillful one.
窍门 (qiàomén) - A knack, a secret tip, a clever shortcut. This is a very close synonym to the “trick” or “hack” sense of 技巧.
本事 (běnshi) - (Colloquial) Skill, ability, competence. Often used to praise someone's real-world, practical capabilities.
手艺 (shǒuyì) - Craft, workmanship. Refers specifically to skill with one's hands, like carpentry, tailoring, or pottery.
功夫 (gōngfu) - Skill acquired through long and hard practice. While famous for martial arts, it can refer to any high-level skill that takes time to master.