生手

shēng shǒu
nounIntermediate beginner
informal

A person who is new to a particular activity or job and lacks experience.

她是摄影的生手,但拍出的照片很有创意。

She is a beginner in photography, but her photos are very creative.

别担心,我是做这个的生手,但我会努力学习。

Don't worry, I'm a beginner at this, but I'll try my best to learn.

💡

Often used to describe someone who is inexperienced or unfamiliar with a task or profession.

Collocations

生手beginner新手newcomer老手expert

Related Phrases

生手上路phrase
a beginner starting out
生手做事phrase
a beginner doing something

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

While '生手' is often used to describe inexperience, it can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, implying lack of skill. Use with caution in professional settings.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

Avoid using '生手' repeatedly in formal writing; opt for synonyms like '初学者' or '新人' for variety.

📖Word Origin

Composed of '生' (shēng, meaning 'raw' or 'uncooked') and '手' (shǒu, meaning 'hand'), literally meaning 'raw hand' or 'unskilled hand'.

📝Usage Notes

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but more commonly in informal speech. Often used to describe someone who is still learning or adapting to a new role or activity.

Word Breakdown

raw, uncooked
root
+
hand
root
汉英词典