Translation guide
To be skilled or proficient in an activity, subject, or task. Japanese uses several expressions depending on what you are good at and the context.
Expressing that someone is good at a general activity, subject, or skill.
The most common way to say someone is good at something. N is a noun or nominalized verb (verb + の or こと). 上手 (じょうず) means 'skillful' or 'good at'. Use です for politeness.
He is good at cooking.
I am good at singing.
Similar to 上手 but often implies confidence or a strong point. Can be used for skills, subjects, or personal strengths.
When the activity is a verb, nominalize it with の or こと. の is more conversational.
You are good at running.
Being good at school subjects or intellectual tasks.
得意 is the standard choice for academic subjects and intellectual skills.
Are you good at English?
Being good at sports, manual tasks, or physical activities.
上手 is natural for physical skills like sports, dancing, or crafts.
I want to become good at tennis.
Expressing that someone is good at dealing with people, communication, or social situations.
得意 works well for interpersonal skills like teaching, negotiating, or making friends.
Emphasizing that someone has a natural gift or talent for something.
Literally 'has talent for N'. Stronger than just being good at something.
Specifically for language proficiency.
Standard way to say you are good at a language.
I am good at Japanese.
上手 (じょうず) is more objective, describing observable skill. 得意 (とくい) is subjective, often implying confidence or a personal strength. You can use 得意 to talk about yourself, but using 上手 about yourself can sound boastful. It's safer to use 得意 for self-description.
I am good at cooking. (humble/confident)
She is good at speaking in public.
Means 'can do' or 'is capable'. Often used for subjects or tasks. Use Nができる.
He is good at math.
More casual than 上手. Often used among friends or in informal situations. Can also mean 'delicious' for food, so context matters.
He is good at soccer.
He is good with children.
Specifically means 'good at socializing' or 'good with people'.
She is good with people.
She has a talent for music. / She is naturally good at music.
Means 'has a sense for N', often used for fashion, design, or artistic sense.
He has a good fashion sense. / He is good at fashion.
Implies functional ability in the language.
He can speak English well. / He is good at English.
Means 'fluent' in a language. Colloquial.
She is fluent in Chinese.
あなたは料理が上手ですね。
You are good at cooking! (compliment)
Using 上手 to describe your own skills can sound arrogant. Use 得意 instead, or soften with ～が好きです (I like ~) or ～をよくします (I often do ~).