Chinese idiom · 成语
一技之长
Meaning
One skill’s strength; a single expertise.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary usageIn a letter sent to his younger brother Mo from a boat at Huai'an, the Qing writer and painter Zheng Xie, also known as Zheng Banqiao, reflects on recognizing other people's good qualities. He admits his own tendency to speak harshly, but says he readily praises a person's particular talent or skill, or a worthwhile word or action. The phrase occurs within this appreciation of individual strengths.
This is a documented literary use, not proof that Zheng invented the expression. 技 is a skill, and 长 here means a strong point. Having 一技之长 means possessing a useful specialty; it does not imply that a person can do only one thing.
In everyday life
学会修理家电，也算有了一技之长。
Learning to repair household appliances gives you a useful specialist skill.
Often used about a practical or professional specialty; 长 is cháng.