1.
knife skills; knife handling; knife technique
A cook's skill at handling a kitchen knife — speed, precision, and control. Often used to praise the dexterity of a professional chef or a skilled home cook.
母は包丁さばきが上手だ。
My mother has excellent knife skills.
鮮やかな包丁さばきに目を奪われた。
I was transfixed by the brilliant knife work.
プロの料理人の包丁さばきはまるで踊っているようだった。
The professional chef's knife handling was like a dance.
Compound of 包丁 (kitchen knife) + さばき (handling, manipulation — from 捌く). Always positive in connotation; almost always used to praise someone's cutting skill.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 包丁さばきが上手: skilled with a knife
- 見事な包丁さばき: impressive knife work
- 鮮やかな包丁さばき: brilliant knife handling
- プロの包丁さばき: professional-level knife skills
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 手さばき: hand technique — general dexterity, not just knife work
- 腕前: skill level — broader; can apply to any craft