Definition

1. Adjective (used as a predicate):
   • To be skilled or proficient with one's hands: Describes a state of being accustomed to a manual task or craft through repeated practice, leading to dexterity and ease of performance.
   • To have a practiced hand: Indicates that one's hand movements have become familiar and efficient at a specific activity due to habit or extensive experience.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô thợ may đã quen tay nên làm rất nhanh. (The seamstress is skilled/ has a practiced hand, so she works very quickly.)
  • Làm việc này lâu, tôi đã quen tay rồi. (Having done this job for a long time, I am now used to it/ proficient at it.)
  • Khâu vá đã quen tay. (She is skilled at sewing.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies that the skill is so ingrained it feels automatic or second nature. It can sometimes be used metaphorically for any activity one is highly accustomed to, not strictly manual labor.
  • Viết bài mỗi ngày, giờ tôi đã quen tay. (Writing articles every day, I am now in the groove/ proficient at it.)

Variants and Related Words

• Làm quen tay (verb phrase): to practice or get one's hand in; to do something to regain familiarity.
  • Anh ấy đang làm quen tay với chiếc máy mới. (He is getting used to/ practicing with the new machine.)

Synonyms

• Proficient: competent or skilled in doing something.
• Skilled: having the ability to do something well.
• Practiced: expert as a result of repeated experience.
• Dexterous: demonstrating neat skill, especially with the hands.
• Accustomed to: familiar with something through use or experience.

Related Idioms

• Quen tay quen chân: A rhyming idiom meaning to be thoroughly accustomed to a job or routine, involving one's whole body (hands and feet).
  • Công việc đồng áng, ông ấy đã quen tay quen chân. (With farm work, he is completely accustomed to it.)

1. Skilled
   • Khâu đã quen tay
     To become skilled in sewing