# 得心应手

dé xīn yìng shǒu

Perform skillfully and with ease

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The hand answers the heart's intention

**Traditional Chinese:** 得心應手

**Register:** Appreciative · general

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Praise fluent use of skills or tools.

Usually reflects competence, not pure luck.

## Understanding the expression

The heart forms an intention and the hand carries it out without awkward delay. The image shows a close fit between purpose and action. Modern use describes a practiced skill, a familiar tool, or work that proceeds smoothly because the person knows what to do. It usually implies competence gained through experience. A lucky result is different, since the phrase focuses on reliable control while doing the task.

## Examples

她用新相机得心应手。

### Traditional Chinese

她用新相機得心應手。

tā yòng xīn xiàng jī dé xīn yìng shǒu 。

She handles the new camera with ease.

练习后，他剪辑视频得心应手。

### Traditional Chinese

練習後，他剪輯視頻得心應手。

liàn xí hòu ， tā jiǎn jí shì pín dé xīn yìng shǒu 。

After practice, he edits videos fluently.

这套工具让维修更得心应手。

### Traditional Chinese

這套工具讓維修更得心應手。

zhè tào gōng jù ràng wéi xiū gèng dé xīn yìng shǒu 。

These tools make repairs easier to handle.

她教这一课已得心应手。

### Traditional Chinese

她教這一課已得心應手。

tā jiào zhè yí kè yǐ dé xīn yìng shǒu 。

She now teaches this lesson confidently and easily.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BE%97%E5%BF%83%E6%87%89%E6%89%8B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=117&webMd=1&la=0)

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