The combination 拿手 (náshǒu) literally means “to hold in the hand.” The metaphor is powerful and intuitive: if you are truly skilled at something, you have complete control and mastery over it, as if you are holding that skill firmly in your hand. You can use it with ease and confidence.
拿手 (náshǒu) is deeply embedded in the practical, everyday aspects of Chinese culture, especially hospitality. The most common usage by far is 拿手菜 (náshǒucài), meaning “signature dish.” In China, inviting someone to your home for a meal is a significant gesture of friendship and respect. Preparing your 拿手菜 for a guest is the ultimate sign of welcome. It means you are not just feeding them, but you are sharing your very best with them—the dish you have perfected and are proud of. It's an act of generosity and “face” (面子, miànzi), as you are presenting your best self through your cooking. Compared to the English phrase “to be good at,” 拿手 is more specific to practiced, often physical, skills. You might say “I'm good at history” in English, but you would be less likely to use 拿手 for an academic subject (you'd use 擅长 (shàncháng) instead). 拿手 is for things you *do*: cooking, singing, fixing things, playing a sport. It emphasizes proven ability over theoretical knowledge, a value deeply respected in Chinese culture.
拿手 is an extremely common, everyday word. It's informal but not slang, making it appropriate for conversations with friends, family, and colleagues.