B2 verb Neutral 1 min read

施展

shizhan /ʂʐ̩˥ ʈ͡ʂan˨˩˦/
Practice it

To put skills or powers into action, often implying a full and effective display.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • To fully display or exert one's talents, skills, or powers.
  • Commonly paired with 'talents' (才华) or 'ambitions' (抱负).
  • Implies having a platform or opportunity to perform.

Overview

  1. 1概览：“施展”是一个富有表现力的动词，核心在于“施（施行、运用）”与“展（展开、展示）”。它不仅仅是简单的“使用”，而往往带有“尽情发挥”的意味，暗示使用者拥有某种内在的能量、技能或策略，并寻找到了合适的时机或平台将其释放出来。
  1. 1用法模式：该词最常见的搭配是“施展 + 抽象名词”。在职业和个人发展语境中，常接“才华”、“抱负”、“才干”；在武侠、体育或动作描写中，常接“身手”、“绝技”；在文学或奇幻语境中，则接“魔法”、“法术”。此外，它也可以接“手段”、“计谋”，此时语境可能偏向中性甚至贬义。

同类词辨析：

  • “施展” vs “发挥”：“发挥”应用范围更广，可以指水平的高低（如：发挥失常），而“施展”侧重于“动作的实施”和“能力的展示”。
  • “施展” vs “展现”：“展现”侧重于静态或结果的呈现（如：展现美景），而“施展”是一个动态的过程，强调主动地去运用某种力量。

Examples

1

他在球场上尽情施展着自己的球技。

everyday

He displayed his football skills to his heart's content on the field.

2

我们需要一个能让年轻人施展抱负的环境。

formal

We need an environment where young people can realize their ambitions.

3

看我施展一下我的厨艺，给你们做顿大餐！

informal

Watch me show off my cooking skills and make you a big meal!

4

由于缺乏资金，他的宏伟计划难以施展。

academic

Due to a lack of funds, his grand plan was difficult to put into action.

Common Collocations

施展才华 to display one's talent
施展抱负 to carry out one's ambitions
施展身手 to show off one's skills/prowess

Common Phrases

大显身手

to fully display one's prowess

无处施展

no place to use (one's talents)

Often Confused With

施展 vs 发挥

发挥 is more general and can refer to the level of performance (good or bad), while 施展 emphasizes the act of putting a skill into use.

施展 vs 实施

实施 is used for implementing plans, laws, or projects, whereas 施展 is for personal abilities or powers.

Grammar Patterns

施展 + [才华/抱负/身手/魔法] 充分 + 施展 难以 + 施展

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word '施展' has a neutral to formal register. It is very common in literature and professional writing to describe someone finally getting a chance to show what they are capable of. It is rarely used for mundane, everyday tasks unless being slightly hyperbolic (like 'showing off' cooking skills).

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using '施展' with concrete objects (e.g., *施展工具). Another mistake is using it for negative things that aren't 'skills' or 'tactics' (e.g., *施展错误).

Tips

💡

Pair it with 'Stage' or 'Platform'

In professional Chinese, '施展' is often paired with '舞台' (stage) or '空间' (space) to describe career opportunities.

⚠️

Avoid using for simple physical objects

Do not use '施展' for using a tool like a hammer; use '使用' instead. Use '施展' for the *skill* of using the tool.

🌍

The 'Hero' Connection

The phrase '英雄无用武之地' (a hero with no place to use his weapon) is the classic opposite situation of being able to '施展'.

Word Origin

'施' (shī) originally meant to extend or bestow. '展' (zhǎn) meant to unroll a scroll. Together, they create the image of unrolling one's capabilities for others to see and feel.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, the ability to '施展' is often linked to the concept of 'Zhiyin' (someone who understands you) or a wise leader who gives you a 'stage'. It reflects the Confucian ideal of serving society with one's talents.

Memory Tip

Think of '施' as 'to apply' and '展' as 'to unfold'. Imagine unfolding a scroll that contains all your skills and applying them to the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

不可以。它通常用于人所具备的抽象能力、技能或超自然力量，而不能说“施展手机”或“施展工具”，这种情况应使用“使用”。

“实施”侧重于政策、计划、方案的落地执行，比较正式且客观；而“施展”侧重于个人才华或技能的展示，更具主观色彩。

大部分情况下是褒义或中性的，如“施展才华”。但在形容“施展手段”或“施展诡计”时，可能带有贬义。

最常见的是“施展抱负”、“施展才华”、“施展身手”和“难以施展”。

Test Yourself

fill blank

这个新职位给了他一个充分___自己管理才能的机会。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: b

“施展”与“才能”是固定搭配，强调发挥和展示。

multiple choice

请选出错误的搭配：

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: c

“电脑”是具体物品，不能用“施展”，应使用“操作”或“使用”。

sentence building

在、舞台上、他、身手、比赛、施展、了、充分

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: a

正确的语序是：主语 + 在...上 + 程度副词 + 施展 + 宾语。

Score: /3

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