How to Say "Nimble" in Chinese

敏捷

mǐnjié

The Chinese word for nimble is 敏捷 (mǐnjié).

敏捷 is used to describe something that is quick and light in movement or action. It leans more toward describing quick reactions.

Meaning: quick and light in movement or action (adj)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of 敏 (mǐn), meaning quick or clever and 捷 (jié), meaning fast or victorious.

While 敏捷 focuses on quickness of reaction, the term 灵活 emphasizes the agility and adaptability aspect of being nimble.

In Hong Kong, the Cantonese term 靈巧 is used for nimble.

As an adjective, 敏捷 can be preceded by the adverb degree particle 很 (hěn) to mean 'very nimble' (很敏捷).

mǐnjié

The character 捷 (jié) in 敏捷 historically shares a root with the word for 'victory', suggesting that being nimble was once seen as the key to winning a battle.
While 敏捷 is used for quick reactions, the phrase 快手 (kuàishǒu), meaning 'fast hand', is often used as a slang term for someone who is nimble at stealing or cheating.
While 敏捷 describes physical or mental speed, the related term 灵敏 is specifically used for the 'nimbleness' or sensitivity of electronics and sensors.

我本来想给我在公园发现的松鼠拍照，但它太敏捷了，因此我拍的照片都不好。
I was going to take a picture of a squirrel I found in the park, but it was too nimble, and all my shots were no good.
This sentence uses 敏捷 to describe a squirrel that is too quick to photograph easily.
Tatoeba #12617596 by Enzo, translation #1528230 by marshmallowcat
可怜的猫！她无法抓住敏捷的老鼠。
Poor cat! She can't catch the nimble mouse.
This sentence uses 敏捷 to describe a mouse that a cat cannot catch.
Tatoeba #7139267 by kanlaon, translation #2755270 by mervert1
他的反应非常敏捷，总能迅速应对各种挑战。
His reactions are very nimble, he can always quickly respond to various challenges.
篮球运动需要你的身体灵活，才能迅速变向和防守。
Basketball requires your body to be nimble so you can quickly change direction and defend.
他的手指非常敏捷。
Tā de shǒuzhǐ fēicháng mǐnjié.
His fingers are very nimble.

Two friends are watching a professional dancer practice.

伟 Wei

那个舞者的动作很敏捷。
Nàge wǔzhě de dòngzuò hěn mǐnjié.
That dancer's movements are very nimble.
晓雯 Xiaowen

是的，她的步伐非常轻快。
Shì de, tā de bùfá fēicháng qīngkuài.
Yes, her steps are very light and quick.
伟 Wei

她是真的很专业。
Tā zhēn de shì hěn zhuānyè.
She is truly professional.
晓雯 Xiaowen

我也想练得像她那样。
Wǒ yě xiǎng liàn de xiàng tā nàyàng.
I want to practice to be like her too.

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