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.
彼は料理が上手だ。
He is good at cooking.
私は歌うのが上手です。
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.
数学が得意です。
I am good at math.
彼女は人前で話すのが得意だ。
She is good at speaking in public.
When the activity is a verb, nominalize it with の or こと. の is more conversational.
走るのが上手ですね。
You are good at running.
Being good at school subjects or intellectual tasks.
Being good at sports, manual tasks, or physical activities.
上手 is natural for physical skills like sports, dancing, or crafts.
テニスが上手になりたい。
I want to become good at tennis.
More casual than 上手. Often used among friends or in informal situations. Can also mean 'delicious' for food, so context matters.
彼はサッカーがうまい。
He is good at soccer.
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.
彼は子供の扱いが得意だ。
He is good with children.
Specifically means 'good at socializing' or 'good with people'.
彼女は人付き合いが上手です。
She is good with people.
Emphasizing that someone has a natural gift or talent for something.
Literally 'has talent for N'. Stronger than just being good at something.
彼女は音楽の才能がある。
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.
彼はファッションのセンスがある。
He has a good fashion sense. / He is good at fashion.
Specifically for language proficiency.
Standard way to say you are good at a language.
日本語が得意です。
I am good at Japanese.
Implies functional ability in the language.
彼は英語ができる。
He can speak English well. / He is good at English.
Means 'fluent' in a language. Colloquial.
彼女は中国語がペラペラだ。
She is fluent in Chinese.
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.
私は料理が得意です。
I am good at cooking. (humble/confident)
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 ~).