本事

běnshi
noun HSK 3 #4,014

Meanings

  1. 1 ability; skill; capability
  2. 2 real ability; what one is actually capable of

Examples

Tā zhēn yǒu běnshi!
He's really capable!
Yǒu běnshi nǐ zìjǐ lái.
If you're so capable, do it yourself.
Xué yì mén běnshi bǐ shénme dōu zhòngyào.
Learning a real skill is more important than anything.

Tips

usage
本事 can be a genuine compliment ('really capable!') or a sarcastic challenge ('if you're so great, go ahead!'). Tone and context decide.
usage
本事 vs 本领: Both mean 'ability/skill,' but 本事 is more colloquial and often implies practical street smarts or toughness. 本领 is slightly more formal.

Stroke Order

běn
shì