看家本领

看家本領
kānjiāběnlǐng
idiom #40,608

Meanings

  1. 1 one's signature skill
  2. 2 one's forte
  3. 3 a specialty reserved for critical moments

Examples

Hóngshāoròu shì tā de kān jiā běn lǐng.
Red-braised pork is her signature dish.
Dào le guānjiàn shíkè, tā cái náchū kān jiā běn lǐng.
Only at the critical moment did he bring out his secret weapon.
Měi ge hángyè de gāoshǒu dōu yǒu zìjǐ de kān jiā běn lǐng.
Every master in their field has their own signature skill.

Tips

memory
Literally 'the skill that guards the house (看家)' — the one technique a master keeps in reserve for when it really counts. Think of a chef's signature dish or a band's encore.
mistakes
here is kān (1st tone, 'to guard/watch over'), NOT kàn (4th tone, 'to look at'). 看家 = 'look after the house'.

Stroke Order

kàn
jiā
běn
lǐng