Usage note
“擅长”表示在某方面特别有本领或做得很好。
“Shàn cháng” biǎoshì zài mǒu fāngmiàn tèbié yǒu běnlǐng huò zuò de hěn hǎo.
“擅长” means being especially skilled or doing well in a certain area.
Context note
我们可以说一个人擅长画画、唱歌或运动等。
Wǒmen kěyǐ shuō yī gè rén shàn cháng huàhuà, chànggē huò yùndòng děng.
We can say someone is good at drawing, singing, or sports, etc.
5 examples
她擅长弹钢琴。
tā shàn cháng tán gāng qín。
She is good at playing the piano.
我擅长跑步。
wǒ shàn cháng pǎo bù。
I am good at running.
他擅长画画。
tā shàn cháng huà huà。
He is good at drawing.
我们擅长做手工。
wǒ men shàn cháng zuò shǒu gōng。
We are good at making crafts.
你擅长什么运动？
nǐ shàn cháng shén me yùn dòng？
What sport are you good at?
5 mini stories
小华擅长游泳，他游得很快。
xiǎo huá shàn cháng yóu yǒng， tā yóu dé hěn kuài。
Xiao Hua is good at swimming; he swims very fast.
他擅长画画，画了一幅美丽的画。
tā shàn cháng huà huà， huà le yì fú měi lì de huà。
He is good at drawing and drew a beautiful picture.
小红擅长唱歌，她的歌声很好听。
xiǎo hóng shàn cháng chàng gē， tā de gē shēng hěn hǎo tīng。
Xiao Hong is good at singing; her voice is very pleasant.
小明擅长数学，他总能快速算出答案。
xiǎo míng shàn cháng shù xué， tā zǒng néng kuài sù suàn chū dá àn。
Xiao Ming is good at math; he can always quickly calculate the answer.
我们班每个人都擅长不同的事情。
wǒ men bān měi gè rén dōu shàn cháng bù tóng de shì qíng。
Everyone in our class is good at different things.
Mini dialogue
擅长画画
A
你擅长什么？
Nǐ shàncháng shénme?
What are you good at?
B
我擅长画画。
Wǒ shàncháng huà huà.
I am good at drawing.
擅长运动
A
他擅长打篮球吗？
Tā shàncháng dǎ lánqiú ma?
Is he good at playing basketball?
B
是的，他非常擅长。
Shì de, tā fēicháng shàncháng.
Yes, he is very good at it.
Related words and contrasts
similar
善于
shànyú
be good at
善于 is a synonym, often used in formal contexts.
opposite
不擅长
bù shàncháng
not good at
不擅长 is the direct opposite of 擅长.
similar
拿手
náshǒu
be expert in
拿手 is more colloquial, often used for skills like cooking.