Meaning of 本领
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- skill
- ability
- capability
Measure word: 項|项,個|个
How to use 本领
本领 is a noun for real, practical skill or ability, often with verbs like 有 (yǒu), 学 (xué), or 练 (liàn). It often sounds a little admiring, as when you praise someone's talent. Example: 他很有本领。(Tā hěn yǒu běnlǐng.) He is very capable.
本 (běn) means root or basis, and 领 (lǐng) means to lead or grasp. Picture your 本领 as the root skills you have firmly grasped, the abilities you can lead with.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes write 领 (lǐng) as 岭 (lǐng, mountain ridge) or 令 (lìng) because they sound alike. The correct 领 has 页 on the right. Also remember 领 is third tone, not fourth like 令.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
本 běn · root · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
领 lǐng · neck · 11 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
Related words
Words that share a character with 本领.
| 本子 | běnzi | book; notebook |
| 课本 | kèběn | textbook |
| 笔记本 | bǐjìběn | notebook (stationery) (CL:本[ben3]); (computing) laptop; notebook (abbr. for 筆記本電腦|笔记本电脑[bi |
| 根本 | gēnběn | fundamental; basic |
| 本来 | běnlái | original; originally |
| 基本 | jīběn | basic; fundamental |
| 领导 | lǐngdǎo | lead; leading |
| 基本上 | jīběnshàng | basically; on the whole |
| 本事 | běnshi | source material; original story |
| 带领 | dàilǐng | to guide; to lead |
| 领先 | lǐngxiān | to lead; to be in front |
| 本科 | běnkē | undergraduate course; undergraduate (attributive) |
Questions about 本领
What does 本领 mean?
本领 (běnlǐng) means "skill; ability" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 本领?
本领 is made of 2 characters: 本 (5 strokes), 领 (11 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 本领 an HSK word?
Yes. 本领 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 本领 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 本领 is written 本領.
What is the difference between 本领 and 本事?
Both mean ability. 本事 (běnshi) is more colloquial and can be sarcastic, as in 你有本事你来 (If you're so capable, you do it). 本领 is more neutral and a bit more formal.
Can 本领 be used with 能力?
They overlap, but 能力 (nénglì) is broader and more abstract, like capacity or competence. 本领 points more to concrete skills, for example 学本领 (learn skills) sounds natural, while 能力 fits phrases like 工作能力 (work ability).