窍门 qiàomén a trick
a trick; an ingenious method; know-how; the knack (of doing something)
How to remember 窍门: 窍 hole + 门 door = a trick.
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How it is used
- The knack / trick to doing something well - 掌握窍门 (zhǎngwò qiàomén) to get the hang of it; 这里面有窍门 there's a trick to this.
- Colloquial and positive; a practical shortcut born of experience.
- Near-synonym 诀窍 (juéqiào) is a touch more formal; 门道 (méndao) is a close spoken cousin.