技高一筹
jì gāo yī chóu
a cut above; slightly more skilful
Character by character
技jì
skill
skill
高gāo
higher
higher
一yī
one
one
筹chóu
counter
counter
Example
两人实力相当，但在关键时刻，还是老将技高一筹。
The two were evenly matched, but at the decisive moment the veteran proved a cut above.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
筹 is a counting rod once used to keep score, as in 略胜一筹, so 高一筹 is “one point ahead”. Common in sports reports: 对手技高一筹, 技高一筹的一方.
Learn this in Lesson 150 · HSK 7–9: 人机大战：围棋 (Go: man against machine)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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