才
cái
HSK 3
#235 most
frequent character
ability, talent, endowment, gift
noun
adverb
Character breakdown
Source: Make Me a Hanzi.
才 began as a picture of a sharp-ended wooden stick, a short stake. From that it grew to 'skill, ability' and then 'person with skill'. The sense 'only if; just now' was borrowed for the sound.
Drawn as: stick with sharp ends
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Example Sentences
他是个很有才的人。
tāshì gè hěnyǒu cái de rén 。
He is a very talented person.
我才明白你的意思。
wǒ cái míngbái nǐde yìsī 。
I only just understood your meaning.
你要有才，才能成功。
nǐyào yǒu cái ， cáinéng chénggōng 。
You need to have talent to succeed.
Words with similar meanings
Words Starting With 才
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