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生手
shēng shǒu
beginner
他是做这项工作的生手。
He is a beginner at this job.
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.
Related Phrases
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
生
raw, uncooked
root手
hand
root汉英词典