Definition
才 (cái) as a noun means 'talent, ability' — the innate or developed capacity to do something well. It is the core root in compounds like 人才 (réncái, a talented person) and 天才 (tiāncái, genius). Unlike 才华 (cáihuá), which emphasizes literary/artistic flair, or 才干 (cáigàn), which stresses practical competence, 才 alone is a general, neutral term for ability.
noun
talentabilitykind of person (as a suffix, e.g., 天才 genius, 奇才 prodigy)
Easily confused
- 猜cāisound-aliketo guess
- 菜càisound-alikedish; vegetable; cuisine
- 踩cǎisound-aliketo step on; to tread on
- 采cǎisound-aliketo pick, to pluck (flowers, fruit, tea)
- 裁cáisound-aliketo cut (fabric, paper, etc.)
Examples
- 才。Tā zài yīnyuè fāngmiàn hěn yǒu cáí.He has great musical talent.
- 才。Tā shì yí gè hěn yǒu cáí de huàjiā.She is a very talented painter.
- 才。Dàjiā dōu rènwéi tā hěn yǒu cái.Everyone thinks he has great ability.
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