随手

• Pinyin: suí shǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 随 = 阝(hill) + 辶 (movement) + 有 (to have), meaning to follow; 手 = pictograph of a hand

Meaning

Casually; conveniently; without extra effort. Doing something in passing.

An adverb describing an action done effortlessly, in passing, or without deliberate intent. Often used to describe closing a door behind you, picking something up, or doing a small task while already doing something else.

Examples

1. 出门的时候请随手关灯。 Please turn off the lights when you leave.
2. 他随手把垃圾扔进了垃圾桶。 He casually tossed the rubbish into the bin.
3. 她随手拿起桌上的杂志翻了翻。 She casually picked up a magazine from the table and flipped through it.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, habits

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 请随手关门，谢谢。(Please close the door behind you; thanks.)
• 他随手画了一幅画，没想到画得很好。(He casually drew a picture, and unexpectedly it turned out very well.)

Don't Say

• 他随手写了一篇论文。(Don't use 随手 for tasks requiring significant effort — a thesis is not something done casually.)

Origin & History

Compound of 随 (to follow, along with) and 手 (hand), literally 'following the hand' — doing something naturally with one's hand.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal