to wield an axe with perfect skill; demonstrate superb craftsmanship
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to demonstrate superb skill; to wield an axe with the wind (figurative, from Zhuangzi)
literaryDerived from a story in Zhuangzi (《庄子•徐无鬼》) about a craftsman named Shi (石) who could deftly chop off white plaster from a person's nose with an axe (斤) without hurting them, demonstrating perfect control and technique. Used to describe highly skilled craftsmanship or mastery in any field.
Zhè这
wèi位
lǎo老
mù木
jiàng匠
yùn运
jīn斤
chéng成
fēng风
，
zuò做
chū出
de的
jiā家
jù具
jīng精
zhì致
wú无
bǐ比
。
This old carpenter wields his tools with perfect skill, creating exquisite furniture.
Tā他
zài在
shǒu手
shù术
tái台
shàng上
yùn运
jīn斤
chéng成
fēng风
，
hěn很
kuài快
jiù就
wán完
chéng成
le了
fù复
zá杂
de的
shǒu手
shù术
。
He worked with superb dexterity on the operating table, quickly completing the complex surgery.
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Zhè这
wèi位
diāo雕
kè刻
jiā家
yùn运
jīn斤
chéng成
fēng风
，
měi每
yī一
kuài块
shí石
tou头
zài在
tā他
shǒu手
zhōng中
dōu都
néng能
biàn变
chéng成
yì艺
shù术
pǐn品
。
This sculptor wields his chisel with masterful skill, turning every piece of stone into a work of art in his hands.
Kàn看
tā他
yùn运
jīn斤
chéng成
fēng风
de的
jì技
shù术
，
jiù就
zhī知
dào道
tā他
shì是
zhè这
fāng方
miàn面
de的
zhuān专
jiā家
。
Watching his masterful technique, one immediately knows he is an expert in this field.