p8nda
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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

HSK 1
他真有本事！
Tā zhēn yǒu běnshi!
He's really capable!
HSK 1
学一门本事比什么都重要。
Xué yī mén běnshi bǐ shénme dōu zhòngyào.
Learning a real skill is more important than anything.
HSK 2
有本事你自己来。
Yǒu běnshi nǐ zìjǐ lái.
If you're so capable, do it yourself.

Tips

usage
有本事 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

本 běn
事 shì