1.
small trick; clever technique; handy tip
A minor but useful technique or trick, often referring to a clever shortcut or practical tip in daily life, technology, or work.
便利な小技を紹介する。
To introduce a handy trick.
このアプリには知っておくと役に立つ小技がたくさんある。
This app has lots of little tricks that are useful to know.
料理の小技を覚えると、毎日の食事作りがずっと楽になる。
Once you learn a few cooking tricks, preparing daily meals becomes much easier.
2.
minor technique (in martial arts or sports)
A small-scale technique in martial arts, sumo, or other sports, as opposed to a major or decisive technique.
小技で一本を取る。
To score a point with a minor technique.
大技ではなく小技を積み重ねて勝った。
He won by piling up minor techniques rather than major ones.
相撲では体の小さい力士ほど小技を使いこなす傾向がある。
In sumo, smaller wrestlers tend to be adept at using minor techniques.
A compound of 小 (small) and 技 (technique, skill). In modern usage, sense 1 (handy tips and tricks) is extremely common, especially in technology and lifestyle contexts — articles titled 「便利な小技○選」 (X useful tricks) are ubiquitous online.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 便利な小技: handy trick
- 小技を使う: to use a minor technique
- 小技を効かせる: to employ a clever touch
- 小技集: collection of tips and tricks
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 大技: major technique — the opposite; a big, decisive move
- コツ: knack, trick — more informal, refers to the key point of doing something well
- 裏ワザ: hidden trick, secret technique — implies something not widely known