Translation guide
The natural ability or talent to learn or do something well. In Japanese, this is expressed through words for talent, suitability, or innate skill, often with nuances of potential and fit.
She has an aptitude for music.
Take an aptitude test.
Referring to an innate skill or talent for something, often academic or artistic.
The most common and general word for talent or natural ability. Used for a wide range of skills.
She has an aptitude for music.
He is blessed with an aptitude for languages.
Innate quality or potential, often implying that someone has the raw material to develop a skill. Slightly more formal than 才能.
Literary term for innate talent, literally 'heaven-given ability'. Used in formal or poetic contexts.
He is a painter with a natural aptitude.
Expressing that someone is well-suited or has the right qualities for a particular job or role.
Aptitude in the sense of suitability or fitness for a specific task or profession. Often used in career contexts.
This job requires a special aptitude.
Suitability or being cut out for something. Often used in the negative to say someone is not suited for something.
Being the right person for a job or role. Focuses on the person's fitness for a specific position.
Emphasizing the ability to learn quickly and easily.
The ability to grasp or understand things quickly. Often used in the phrase 飲み込みが早い (to be quick on the uptake).
He has a quick aptitude for learning.
Memory or ability to learn things. Often used in 物覚えがいい (to have a good memory/aptitude for learning).
才能 (sainou) refers to innate talent or ability, often in arts or academics. 適性 (tekisei) is more about suitability for a specific task or job, and is commonly used in professional or testing contexts. Use 才能 for natural gifts, and 適性 for job-related aptitude.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'aptitude'. Translating it directly as アプティチュード is not natural. Choose the word that matches the specific nuance: talent (才能), suitability (適性), or quick learning (飲み込み).
He has an aptitude for leadership.
Take an aptitude test.
He has an aptitude for teaching.
I don't have an aptitude for this job.
彼がこのプロジェクトのリーダーに適任だ。
He is the right person (has the aptitude) to lead this project.
She has a good aptitude for memorizing things.