What does "Jack of All Trades" mean?

Skilled in many different tasks Competent in many areas, perhaps expert in none.

Jack of All Trades

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Skilled in many different tasks

擅长多种不同工作

Hábil en muchas tareas diferentes

多くの異なる仕事に長けている

여러 가지 일에 능숙한 사람

Competent in many areas, perhaps expert in none.

在多个领域都能胜任，但可能哪个都不精通。

Competente en muchas áreas, quizá experto en ninguna.

多くの分野で有能だが、どれも専門家ではないかもしれない。

많은 분야에 능숙하지만 전문가는 아닐 수 있는.

Examples

He's a jack of all trades.
他是个万事通
es un todoterreno
彼は何でも屋だ
그는 뭐든지 다 하는 만능인이야.

Pronunciation

/dʒæk əv ɔːl treɪdz/

Usage Guide

Context: skills

Tone: neutral

✓ Do Say

Jack of all trades
万事通
un todoterreno
何でも屋
만능인, 팔방미인

✗ Don't Say

Can imply lack of mastery
可能暗示缺乏精通
Puede implicar falta de maestría
専門性のなさを暗示することがある
전문성 부족을 암시할 수 있음

Common Mistakes

Full: '...master of none'

Origin & History

From 1600s, 'Jack' being everyman.

Cultural Context

Era: 17th century

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common expression

Regional notes: Universal.

Variations

Jack of all trades