adjective / adverb HSK 4
Traditional 手動
manual · manually · by hand
Meaning
手动 refers to actions or operations performed by hand rather than automatically or mechanically. It describes processes that require direct human intervention or control, as opposed to being automated or powered by machines.
Usage
Commonly used in technical contexts to distinguish manual operations from automatic ones, such as manual transmission cars (手动挡) versus automatic transmission (自动挡). It can modify nouns or be used adverbially. Often appears in contrast with 自动 (automatic).
Examples
- 01这台洗衣机可以手动调节水温。.This washing machine allows you to manually adjust the water temperature.
- 02我喜欢开手动挡的车，更有驾驶乐趣。, .I like driving manual transmission cars; they're more fun to drive.
Characters
Common collocations
- 手动挡manual transmission
- 手动操作manual operation
- 手动模式manual mode
- 手动设置manual setting
Antonyms
Origin
Literally 'hand-move,' the word combines 手 (hand) with 动 (motion/movement) to indicate movement or operation initiated by hand rather than by machine.