信手拈来

信手拈來

xìnshǒuniānlái

idiom #39,445

Meanings

1 to pick up at random with a casual hand
2 to produce effortlessly (of references, quotes, material)
3 to have so much mastery one can draw from it freely

Characters

freely; at will

to pick up with fingers

to come; (directional)

Examples

他学识渊博，典故信手拈来。

Tā xuéshí yuānbó, diǎngù xìnshǒuniānlái.

His learning is so deep that classical references come to him effortlessly.

优秀的作家写作时素材信手拈来。

Yōuxiù de zuòjiā xiězuò shí sùcái xìnshǒuniānlái.

A skilled writer draws material at will when composing.

Tips

history

From Su Shi's poem 《次韵孔毅甫集古人句见赠》 (Song dynasty): "前身子美只君是，信手拈来俱天成" — praising his friend for quoting Du Fu with such ease that every line looked natural.

usage

Highly complimentary. Describes effortless mastery — not luck, but deep accumulated skill. Common for scholars, writers, musicians, and orators.

Stroke Order

信 xìn

手 shǒu

拈 niān

来 lái