# 驾轻就熟

jià qīng jiù shú

Handle a familiar task with ease

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Drive a light carriage along a familiar road

**Traditional Chinese:** 駕輕就熟

**Register:** Positive · general

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

## When to use it

Describe competence gained through repeated practice.

Ease comes from experience, not an inherently easy task.

## Understanding the expression

A light carriage on a familiar road allows its driver to anticipate bends and avoid unnecessary effort. The expression transfers that confidence to practiced work: the person recognizes the usual problems and knows what to do next. It suits an experienced cook, a practiced presenter, or someone returning to an old job. The emphasis falls on smooth execution rather than extraordinary talent or careless speed.

## Examples

这套设备他修过多次，再修起来驾轻就熟。

### Traditional Chinese

這套設備他修過多次，再修起來駕輕就熟。

zhè tào shè bèi tā xiū guò duō cì ， zài xiū qǐ lái jià qīng jiù shú 。

He has repaired this equipment many times, so another repair is easy for him.

她教了十年课，组织讨论驾轻就熟。

### Traditional Chinese

她教了十年課，組織討論駕輕就熟。

tā jiào le shí nián kè ， zǔ zhī tǎo lùn jià qīng jiù shú 。

After ten years of teaching, she organizes discussions with ease.

换回熟悉的软件后，我做报表驾轻就熟。

### Traditional Chinese

換回熟悉的軟件後，我做報表駕輕就熟。

huàn huí shú xī de ruǎn jiàn hòu ， wǒ zuò bào biǎo jià qīng jiù shú 。

Back on familiar software, I prepare reports with ease.

爷爷包饺子驾轻就熟，一会儿就包好了一盘。

### Traditional Chinese

爺爺包餃子駕輕就熟，一會兒就包好了一盤。

yé ye bāo jiǎo zǐ jià qīng jiù shú ， yí huì er jiù bāo hǎo le yì pán 。

Grandpa makes dumplings with practiced ease and soon fills a plate.

## 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=%E9%A7%95%E8%BC%95%E5%B0%B1%E7%86%9F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=352&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [坚持不懈 jiān chí bù xiè Keep going without letting up ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jian-chi-bu-xie)

- [脚踏实地 jiǎo tà shí dì Work in a grounded, practical way ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jiao-ta-shi-di)

- [节衣缩食 jié yī suō shí Spend very little on daily necessities ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jie-yi-suo-shi)

- [尽善尽美 jìn shàn jìn měi Be excellent in every important respect ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jin-shan-jin-mei)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 假公济私 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jia-gong-ji-si) [Next idiom 家徒四壁 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jia-tu-si-bi)