knack
gb/nˈæk/ us/nˈæk/
B2
Anglais
érzék, tehetség, fogás, fortély, hajlam, szokás
NOM
B2
1
Schéma d’usage :
have a knack for [noun/gerund]; have a knack of [gerund]
She has a knack for explaining difficult ideas clearly.
Különös érzéke van ahhoz, hogy világosan elmagyarázza a bonyolult elképzeléseket.
He’s got a real knack for fixing things around the house.
Igazi érzéke van a ház körüli javításokhoz.
I don’t have a knack for remembering names, so I take notes.
Exemples pédagogiques
I have a knack for cooking.
Jó érzékem van a főzéshez.
She has a knack for languages.
Jó érzéke van a nyelvekhez.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *knack to do*; more common is "a knack for doing" or "a knack for something."
Sens
natural skill at something
Collocations
have a knack for something
|have a knack for doing something
|a real knack
|a natural knack
|an uncanny knack
|a knack for languages
|a knack for making people laugh
|a knack for detail
|a knack for sales
|develop a knack for something
Synonymes
talent (A broader word for natural ability.)
|
aptitude (Often used for an ability that can be tested or developed.)
|
gift (Emphasizes being naturally good, sometimes unusually so.)
Antonymes
ineptitude (Lack of ability to do something well.)
|
clumsiness (Lack of skill, especially in physical tasks.)
Thèmes
skills
|learning
|work
Définition
a natural ability to do something well
A special skill or talent for doing something, often one that seems natural and comes easily.
NOM
B2
2
Schéma d’usage :
the knack is (to/in) [do something]; learn the knack (of [doing])
The knack is to keep the pan hot but not smoking.
A fogás az, hogy a serpenyő forró maradjon, de ne kezdjen füstölni.
There’s a knack to parallel parking—once you learn it, it’s easy.
A párhuzamos parkolásnak megvan a maga fogása — ha egyszer megtanulod, könnyű.
I’ve finally learned the knack of getting the lid off this jar.
Exemples pédagogiques
The knack is to go slowly.
A fogás az, hogy lassan menj.
There is a knack to it.
Ennek megvan a maga fogása.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this with 'a hack' (a shortcut); 'knack' is more about learning the right technique.
Sens
the right technique to succeed
Collocations
the knack is to do something
|the knack is in doing something
|learn the knack
|pick up the knack
|master the knack
|the secret knack
|the basic knack
|the knack of timing
|the knack of it
|there’s a knack to it
Synonymes
technique (More neutral and general; often used in teaching or training.)
|
trick (Suggests a clever or simple method that makes something work.)
|
know-how (Emphasizes practical knowledge rather than a single method.)
Antonymes
wrong approach (Using an ineffective method instead of the correct one.)
|
inexperience (Not yet knowing how to do it successfully.)
Thèmes
learning
|daily_life
|problem_solving
Définition
the best way to do something so it works
A particular way of doing something that makes it work or makes it easier; the key technique.
NOM
C1
3
Schéma d’usage :
have a knack of [gerund]
He has a knack of arriving just as we’re about to leave.
Megvan az a hajlama, hogy pont akkor érkezzen, amikor már indulni készülünk.
She has an unfortunate knack of misplacing her phone.
Sajnos megvan az a hajlama, hogy elkeverje a telefonját.
I’ve got a knack of picking the slowest checkout line.
Exemples pédagogiques
He has a knack of being late.
Az a szokása, hogy késik.
I have a knack of losing my keys.
Hajlamos vagyok elveszíteni a kulcsaimat.
Erreur fréquente :
This use can sound slightly negative; for positive ability, "a knack for" is more common.
Sens
habitual tendency to do something
Collocations
have a knack of doing something
|a knack of turning up late
|a knack of losing things
|a knack of saying the wrong thing
|a knack of getting into trouble
|an unfortunate knack
|a strange knack
|a bad knack
|a knack of making mistakes
|a knack of interrupting
Synonymes
habit (More general and neutral; can be good or bad.)
|
tendency (Often implies a repeated pattern, not necessarily intentional.)
|
bad habit (Explicitly negative; stronger than 'knack'.)
Antonymes
self-control (Ability to avoid repeated unwanted actions.)
|
restraint (Holding back from habitual behavior.)
Thèmes
habits
|people
|daily_life
Définition
a habit of doing something again and again
A tendency or habit of doing something repeatedly, often something annoying or unintended.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
knack
API
GB/nˈæk/
US/nˈæk/
Syllabes et accentuation
knack (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (knack)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: knack
- Plural: knacks
Famille de mots
Forms
knacks
noun
Expressions
get the knack (of [doing something])
1/ɡˈɛt ðə nˈæk əv dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
learn to do it successfully
learn the right way to do something
Exemples
- It took me a few tries, but I got the knack of using chopsticks.
- Once you get the knack, the software is pretty straightforward.
- I still haven’t got the knack of folding fitted sheets.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I got the knack of it.
- You will get the knack soon.
once you’ve got the knack
1/wˈʌns jˈuv ɡˈɑt ðə nˈæk/
fixed phrase
after you learn the technique
after you learn how to do it, it is easy
Exemples
- Once you’ve got the knack, you can do it in under a minute.
- It feels awkward at first, but once you’ve got the knack, it’s fun.
- Once you’ve got the knack, you won’t need to think about it.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Once you’ve got the knack, it’s easy.
that’s the knack
1/ðˈæts ðə nˈæk/
fixed phrase
informal
that’s the right way
yes, that is the right way
Exemples
- Keep your elbow in—yes, that’s the knack.
- Try lifting from the corner; that’s the knack.
- There you go—that’s the knack.
Exemples pédagogiques
- That’s the knack!
the knack is to [do something]
1/ðə nˈæk ˈɪz tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
the key technique is
the important thing is to do this
Exemples
- The knack is to keep your wrist relaxed.
- The knack is to listen for the rhythm, not count every beat.
- The knack is to start small and build up gradually.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The knack is to practice every day.