高手

• Pinyin: gāo shǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 高 = high, skilled; 手 = pictograph of a hand, extended to mean 'practitioner' or 'expert'

Meaning

Expert; master; ace. Someone highly skilled in a particular field.

Informal term for someone with exceptional skills: 电脑高手 (computer whiz), 武术高手 (martial arts master), 炒股高手 (stock trading expert), 游戏高手 (gaming ace). Often used admiringly. Related expressions: 高手如云 (many experts), 高手过招 (experts competing), 民间高手 (grassroots expert).

Examples

1. 他是我们部门公认的编程高手，再复杂的问题都难不倒他。 He's the recognized programming expert in our department — no problem is too complex for him.
2. 这场比赛汇聚了来自全国各地的象棋高手。 This competition brought together chess masters from all over the country.
3. 别看他年纪轻轻，已经是业内有名的投资高手了。 Despite his young age, he's already a well-known investment expert in the industry.

Usage Guide

Context: skills, competition, admiration

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 你真是高手！(You're really an expert!)
• 请教一下高手。(Let me ask the expert.)

Don't Say

• 用高手形容学术权威 (For academic authorities, use 专家 or 大师 instead — 高手 is more informal and skill-focused)

Origin & History

Compound of 高 (high, skilled) + 手 (hand). 手 extended from 'hand' to mean 'person who does something,' so 高手 means 'highly skilled person.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal