málì: 麻利 - Quick, Nimble, Efficient
Quick Summary
Keywords: málì, mali, 麻利, quick, nimble, efficient, deft, Chinese adjective, Chinese adverb, 手脚麻利, what does mali mean, how to say quick in Chinese, Chinese slang
Summary: Learn the meaning of málì (麻利), a common Chinese adjective used to praise someone for being quick, nimble, and highly efficient. This guide explores its cultural significance, practical usage in daily conversation, and how it differs from simply being “fast” (快, kuài). Discover how málì reflects the cultural value placed on skilled, competent action, complete with 10 practical example sentences for beginner learners.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): málì
Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb
HSK Level: N/A (but a very common and useful colloquial term)
Concise Definition: Describes a person or their actions as being quick, skillful, and efficient, especially in manual tasks.
In a Nutshell: 麻利 (málì) is more than just “fast.” It's a compliment that captures the idea of speed combined with competence and a lack of wasted motion. Think of a seasoned chef chopping vegetables with incredible speed and precision, or a grandmother knitting a sweater with deft, practiced movements. That's málì. It implies skill and experience, suggesting that the person is not just fast, but also very good at what they're doing.
Character Breakdown
麻 (má): The original meaning of this character is “hemp” or “flax.” While it can also mean “numb” or “tingling” (like in the word `麻辣 málà` - numbing-spicy), in this context, it functions primarily as part of a fixed compound word.
利 (lì): This character is key to the word's meaning. It means “sharp” (like a knife), “advantageous,” or “smooth.” The sense of “sharpness” here implies precision and effectiveness.
When combined, 麻利 (málì) paints a picture of action that is as swift and precise as a sharp blade. The `利` (sharp, smooth) part gives the word its core sense of efficiency, while `麻` completes the common colloquial pairing.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, there's a strong appreciation for diligence, competence, and pragmatism. Being 麻利 (málì) is a highly valued trait. It's a form of practical intelligence—the ability to get things done well and without fuss. Praising someone as málì is a way of acknowledging their skill, experience, and good work ethic.
A useful comparison in Western culture is the idea of being “on the ball” or a “well-oiled machine.” However, these terms can be broader. 麻利 is specifically focused on the *physical execution* of a task. It's most often used to describe actions involving one's hands and feet (`手脚 shǒujiǎo`). While a project manager might be “on the ball” for their strategic planning, the person who expertly assembles the product is 麻利. It reflects a deep respect for skilled labor and practical ability.
Practical Usage in Modern China
麻利 (málì) is a very common, informal term used in everyday conversation.
As a Compliment: This is its most frequent use. You can use it to praise anyone from a waitress to a coworker to a family member.
As a Command: It can be used to tell someone to hurry up, often with `点儿 (diǎnr)` added. The tone can range from a friendly nudge to an impatient demand.
e.g., `麻利点儿，我们快迟到了！` (Málì diǎnr, wǒmen kuài chídào le!) - Be quick about it, we're going to be late!
With “Hands and Feet”: It frequently appears in the set phrase `手脚麻利 (shǒujiǎo málì)`, which literally means “hands and feet are nimble and efficient.” This emphasizes physical dexterity.
The connotation is overwhelmingly positive when used as a description, but can be neutral or slightly impatient when used as a command.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他做事一向很麻利，从不拖泥带水。
Pinyin: Tā zuòshì yíxiàng hěn málì, cóng bù tuōnídàishuǐ.
English: He has always been very efficient in his work, never sloppy or sluggish.
Analysis: This sentence uses 麻利 to describe a person's general character and work style. `拖泥带水 (tuōnídàishuǐ)` is a great idiom that means “messy” or “to drag one's feet,” serving as a direct contrast.
Example 2:
这位服务员手脚很麻利，一个人能管好几张桌子。
Pinyin: Zhè wèi fúwùyuán shǒujiǎo hěn málì, yí ge rén néng guǎn hǎo jǐ zhāng zhuōzi.
English: This waiter is very nimble and efficient; he can manage several tables by himself.
Analysis: This is a classic use of the phrase `手脚麻利 (shǒujiǎo málì)` to praise someone's competence in a service job.
Example 3:
麻利点儿！电影马上就要开始了！
Pinyin: Málì diǎnr! Diànyǐng mǎshàng jiù yào kāishǐ le!
English: Hurry up! The movie is about to start!
Analysis: Here, 麻利 is used as a friendly but firm command. The addition of `点儿 (diǎnr)` softens it slightly, making it common among friends and family.
Example 4:
我妈妈包饺子特别麻利，一会儿就包了一大盘。
Pinyin: Wǒ māma bāo jiǎozi tèbié málì, yíhuìr jiù bāo le yí dà pán.
English: My mom is especially deft at making dumplings; she can make a huge plate of them in no time.
Analysis: This example highlights how 麻利 is perfect for describing a well-practiced, domestic skill.
Example 5:
他麻利地穿好衣服，冲出了家门。
Pinyin: Tā málì de chuān hǎo yīfu, chōng chū le jiāmén.
English: He quickly and efficiently put on his clothes and rushed out the door.
Analysis: This shows 麻利 used as an adverb (with `地 de`) to modify the verb `穿 (chuān)`. It implies he got dressed without any fumbling.
Example 6:
老板喜欢麻利的员工，不喜欢做事慢吞吞的人。
Pinyin: Lǎobǎn xǐhuān málì de yuángōng, bù xǐhuān zuòshì màntūntūn de rén.
English: The boss likes efficient employees, not people who are slow at their work.
Analysis: This sentence sets up a clear contrast between 麻利 and its opposite, `慢吞吞 (màntūntūn)`, which means “sluggish” or “painfully slow.”
Example 7:
你能不能把桌子麻利地收拾一下？客人马上就到了。
Pinyin: Nǐ néng bu néng bǎ zhuōzi málì de shōushi yíxià? Kèrén mǎshàng jiù dào le.
English: Can you please clear the table quickly? The guests will be here any minute.
Analysis: This is a request that uses 麻利 to emphasize the need for both speed and tidiness.
Example 8:
小偷麻利地翻过墙头，消失在了夜色中。
Pinyin: Xiǎotōu málì de fānguò qiángtóu, xiāoshī zài le yèsè zhōng.
English: The thief deftly climbed over the wall and disappeared into the night.
Analysis: An interesting example showing that 麻利 describes the skillfulness of an action, regardless of whether the action itself is good or bad.
Example 9:
要想生活得好，就得手脚麻利点儿，脑子灵活点儿。
Pinyin: Yào xiǎng shēnghuó de hǎo, jiù děi shǒujiǎo málì diǎnr, nǎozi línghuó diǎnr.
English: If you want to live a good life, you need to be quick with your hands and feet, and quick-witted.
Analysis: This sentence presents 麻利 as a piece of practical life advice, pairing physical competence with mental agility (`脑子灵活 nǎozi línghuó`).
Example 10:
别磨蹭了，麻利地把作业写完！
Pinyin: Bié móceng le, málì de bǎ zuòyè xiě wán!
English: Stop dawdling and finish your homework quickly!
Analysis: A common phrase from a parent to a child. Here, 麻利 functions as an adverbial command, telling the child *how* to do their homework—efficiently.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
A crucial mistake for learners is confusing 麻利 (málì) with 快 (kuài).
Common Pitfall: Do not use 麻利 to describe machines, computers, or abstract concepts. It is almost exclusively used for people (and sometimes animals) performing physical tasks.
快 (kuài) - A more general term for “fast” or “quick.”
麻利 is a specific type of
快 that includes skill.
利索 (lìsuo) - A very close synonym for
麻利, also meaning “agile,” “deft,” or “neat.” They are often interchangeable in conversation.
干练 (gànliàn) - Means “capable and experienced.” It's similar to
麻利 but is often used in a more professional, white-collar context to describe a person's overall competence, not just their physical actions.
拖拖拉拉 (tuōtuōlālā) - A perfect antonym. It's an idiom meaning “to be sluggish, to procrastinate, to drag one's feet.”
敏捷 (mǐnjié) - Means “agile” or “nimble.” This term is a bit more formal and often used to describe reflexes or athletic ability, like an athlete's `敏捷` movements.
效率 (xiàolǜ) - The abstract noun for “efficiency.” A person who is
麻利 has high `效率`.
手脚 (shǒujiǎo) - Literally “hands and feet.” It's often used with
麻利 in the common phrase `手脚麻利` to emphasize physical dexterity and competence in manual tasks.