新手

xīnshǒu

noun HSK 7 #9,695

Meanings

1 newbie; beginner
2 novice

Characters

hand; person skilled in something

Literally 'new hand' — just like the English 'new hand' for a beginner. The opposite is 老手 (lǎoshǒu, 'old hand/veteran').

Examples

我是新手，请多指教。

Wǒ shì xīnshǒu, qǐng duō zhǐjiào.

I'm a beginner — please give me guidance.

新手开车要特别小心。

Xīnshǒu kāichē yào tèbié xiǎoxīn.

New drivers need to be especially careful.

Tips

culture

Chinese cars driven by new drivers often display a green sticker with 实习 (shíxí, 'trainee'). Seeing 新手上路 (xīnshǒu shàng lù, 'newbie on the road') on the back of a car is a friendly warning to keep your distance.

Stroke Order

新 xīn

手 shǒu