Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== málì: 麻利 - Quick, Nimble, Efficient ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** málì, mali, 麻利, quick, nimble, efficient, deft, Chinese adjective, Chinese adverb, 手脚麻利, what does mali mean, how to say quick in Chinese, Chinese slang * **Summary:** Learn the meaning of **málì (麻利)**, a common Chinese adjective used to praise someone for being quick, nimble, and highly efficient. This guide explores its cultural significance, practical usage in daily conversation, and how it differs from simply being "fast" (快, kuài). Discover how **málì** reflects the cultural value placed on skilled, competent action, complete with 10 practical example sentences for beginner learners. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** málì * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Adverb * **HSK Level:** N/A (but a very common and useful colloquial term) * **Concise Definition:** Describes a person or their actions as being quick, skillful, and efficient, especially in manual tasks. * **In a Nutshell:** **麻利 (málì)** is more than just "fast." It's a compliment that captures the idea of speed combined with competence and a lack of wasted motion. Think of a seasoned chef chopping vegetables with incredible speed and precision, or a grandmother knitting a sweater with deft, practiced movements. That's **málì**. It implies skill and experience, suggesting that the person is not just fast, but also very good at what they're doing. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **麻 (má):** The original meaning of this character is "hemp" or "flax." While it can also mean "numb" or "tingling" (like in the word `麻辣 málà` - numbing-spicy), in this context, it functions primarily as part of a fixed compound word. * **利 (lì):** This character is key to the word's meaning. It means "sharp" (like a knife), "advantageous," or "smooth." The sense of "sharpness" here implies precision and effectiveness. * When combined, **麻利 (málì)** paints a picture of action that is as swift and precise as a sharp blade. The `利` (sharp, smooth) part gives the word its core sense of efficiency, while `麻` completes the common colloquial pairing. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, there's a strong appreciation for diligence, competence, and pragmatism. Being **麻利 (málì)** is a highly valued trait. It's a form of practical intelligence—the ability to get things done well and without fuss. Praising someone as **málì** is a way of acknowledging their skill, experience, and good work ethic. A useful comparison in Western culture is the idea of being "on the ball" or a "well-oiled machine." However, these terms can be broader. **麻利** is specifically focused on the *physical execution* of a task. It's most often used to describe actions involving one's hands and feet (`手脚 shǒujiǎo`). While a project manager might be "on the ball" for their strategic planning, the person who expertly assembles the product is **麻利**. It reflects a deep respect for skilled labor and practical ability. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **麻利 (málì)** is a very common, informal term used in everyday conversation. * **As a Compliment:** This is its most frequent use. You can use it to praise anyone from a waitress to a coworker to a family member. * e.g., `你做事真麻利！` (Nǐ zuòshì zhēn málì!) - You're so efficient at what you do! * **As a Command:** It can be used to tell someone to hurry up, often with `点儿 (diǎnr)` added. The tone can range from a friendly nudge to an impatient demand. * e.g., `麻利点儿，我们快迟到了！` (Málì diǎnr, wǒmen kuài chídào le!) - Be quick about it, we're going to be late! * **With "Hands and Feet":** It frequently appears in the set phrase `手脚麻利 (shǒujiǎo málì)`, which literally means "hands and feet are nimble and efficient." This emphasizes physical dexterity. The connotation is overwhelmingly positive when used as a description, but can be neutral or slightly impatient when used as a command. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他做事一向很**麻利**，从不拖泥带水。 * Pinyin: Tā zuòshì yíxiàng hěn **málì**, cóng bù tuōnídàishuǐ. * English: He has always been very efficient in his work, never sloppy or sluggish. * Analysis: This sentence uses **麻利** to describe a person's general character and work style. `拖泥带水 (tuōnídàishuǐ)` is a great idiom that means "messy" or "to drag one's feet," serving as a direct contrast. * **Example 2:** * 这位服务员手脚很**麻利**，一个人能管好几张桌子。 * Pinyin: Zhè wèi fúwùyuán shǒujiǎo hěn **málì**, yí ge rén néng guǎn hǎo jǐ zhāng zhuōzi. * English: This waiter is very nimble and efficient; he can manage several tables by himself. * Analysis: This is a classic use of the phrase `手脚麻利 (shǒujiǎo málì)` to praise someone's competence in a service job. * **Example 3:** * **麻利**点儿！电影马上就要开始了！ * Pinyin: **Málì** diǎnr! Diànyǐng mǎshàng jiù yào kāishǐ le! * English: Hurry up! The movie is about to start! * Analysis: Here, **麻利** is used as a friendly but firm command. The addition of `点儿 (diǎnr)` softens it slightly, making it common among friends and family. * **Example 4:** * 我妈妈包饺子特别**麻利**，一会儿就包了一大盘。 * Pinyin: Wǒ māma bāo jiǎozi tèbié **málì**, yíhuìr jiù bāo le yí dà pán. * English: My mom is especially deft at making dumplings; she can make a huge plate of them in no time. * Analysis: This example highlights how **麻利** is perfect for describing a well-practiced, domestic skill. * **Example 5:** * 他**麻利**地穿好衣服，冲出了家门。 * Pinyin: Tā **málì** de chuān hǎo yīfu, chōng chū le jiāmén. * English: He quickly and efficiently put on his clothes and rushed out the door. * Analysis: This shows **麻利** used as an adverb (with `地 de`) to modify the verb `穿 (chuān)`. It implies he got dressed without any fumbling. * **Example 6:** * 老板喜欢**麻利**的员工，不喜欢做事慢吞吞的人。 * Pinyin: Lǎobǎn xǐhuān **málì** de yuángōng, bù xǐhuān zuòshì màntūntūn de rén. * English: The boss likes efficient employees, not people who are slow at their work. * Analysis: This sentence sets up a clear contrast between **麻利** and its opposite, `慢吞吞 (màntūntūn)`, which means "sluggish" or "painfully slow." * **Example 7:** * 你能不能把桌子**麻利**地收拾一下？客人马上就到了。 * Pinyin: Nǐ néng bu néng bǎ zhuōzi **málì** de shōushi yíxià? Kèrén mǎshàng jiù dào le. * English: Can you please clear the table quickly? The guests will be here any minute. * Analysis: This is a request that uses **麻利** to emphasize the need for both speed and tidiness. * **Example 8:** * 小偷**麻利**地翻过墙头，消失在了夜色中。 * Pinyin: Xiǎotōu **málì** de fānguò qiángtóu, xiāoshī zài le yèsè zhōng. * English: The thief deftly climbed over the wall and disappeared into the night. * Analysis: An interesting example showing that **麻利** describes the skillfulness of an action, regardless of whether the action itself is good or bad. * **Example 9:** * 要想生活得好，就得手脚**麻利**点儿，脑子灵活点儿。 * Pinyin: Yào xiǎng shēnghuó de hǎo, jiù děi shǒujiǎo **málì** diǎnr, nǎozi línghuó diǎnr. * English: If you want to live a good life, you need to be quick with your hands and feet, and quick-witted. * Analysis: This sentence presents **麻利** as a piece of practical life advice, pairing physical competence with mental agility (`脑子灵活 nǎozi línghuó`). * **Example 10:** * 别磨蹭了，**麻利**地把作业写完！ * Pinyin: Bié móceng le, **málì** de bǎ zuòyè xiě wán! * English: Stop dawdling and finish your homework quickly! * Analysis: A common phrase from a parent to a child. Here, **麻利** functions as an adverbial command, telling the child *how* to do their homework—efficiently. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== A crucial mistake for learners is confusing **麻利 (málì)** with **快 (kuài)**. * **快 (kuài)** just means "fast." It refers only to speed. * `他跑得很快。` (Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.) - He runs very fast. (Correct) * **麻利 (málì)** means "fast AND skillful/efficient." It refers to the quality of an action. * `他跑得很麻利。` (Tā pǎo de hěn málì.) - (Incorrect) Running isn't typically a task that requires nimbleness in this sense. You wouldn't use **麻利** to describe it. **Common Pitfall:** Do not use **麻利** to describe machines, computers, or abstract concepts. It is almost exclusively used for people (and sometimes animals) performing physical tasks. * **Incorrect:** `我的新电脑运行很麻利。` (Wǒ de xīn diànnǎo yùnxíng hěn málì.) * **Correct:** `我的新电脑运行很快。` (Wǒ de xīn diànnǎo yùnxíng hěn kuài.) - My new computer runs very fast. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[kuai|快]] (kuài) - A more general term for "fast" or "quick." **麻利** is a specific type of **快** that includes skill. * [[lisuo|利索]] (lìsuo) - A very close synonym for **麻利**, also meaning "agile," "deft," or "neat." They are often interchangeable in conversation. * [[ganlian|干练]] (gànliàn) - Means "capable and experienced." It's similar to **麻利** but is often used in a more professional, white-collar context to describe a person's overall competence, not just their physical actions. * [[tuotalala|拖拖拉拉]] (tuōtuōlālā) - A perfect antonym. It's an idiom meaning "to be sluggish, to procrastinate, to drag one's feet." * [[minjie|敏捷]] (mǐnjié) - Means "agile" or "nimble." This term is a bit more formal and often used to describe reflexes or athletic ability, like an athlete's `敏捷` movements. * [[xiaolu|效率]] (xiàolǜ) - The abstract noun for "efficiency." A person who is **麻利** has high `效率`. * [[shoujiao|手脚]] (shǒujiǎo) - Literally "hands and feet." It's often used with **麻利** in the common phrase `手脚麻利` to emphasize physical dexterity and competence in manual tasks.