Translation guide
Describes someone who is good at doing something, often with their hands or through learned ability. Japanese has several words that overlap with 'skillful', but they differ in nuance: some emphasize dexterity, others praise results, and some are used in specific contexts like sports or crafts.
Describing a person who is skillful in a practical, often manual, activity.
The most common and versatile word for 'skillful' or 'good at'. Used for a wide range of skills, from cooking to sports to languages. Can also describe the result of an action (e.g., a well-done drawing).
彼は料理が上手だ。
He is skillful at cooking.
上手に描けましたね。
You drew that skillfully, didn't you?
Emphasizes cleverness and dexterity in technique. Often used for craftsmanship, art, or skillful manipulation. Slightly more formal and literary than 上手.
巧みな手つきで彫刻を仕上げた。
He finished the sculpture with skillful hands.
Means 'dexterous' or 'handy'. Focuses on manual skill and the ability to do things neatly and efficiently. Often used for people who are good with their hands.
彼女は器用で、何でも作れる。
She is skillful with her hands and can make anything.
Describes the way someone works: efficiently, neatly, and skillfully. Focuses on the process rather than the innate ability.
手際がいいね。あっという間に終わった。
You're so skillful/efficient. You finished in no time.
Praising someone's high level of skill in a particular field, often implying talent or mastery.
Casual and very common. Means 'good at' or 'skillful'. Often used in spoken Japanese for sports, games, or practical skills. Can also mean 'delicious' for food, so context matters.
彼はサッカーがうまい。
He is skillful at soccer.
日本語がうまいですね。
Your Japanese is skillful/good!
Means 'skillful' or 'proficient', often implying fluency or mastery, especially in language or a performing art. Can also mean 'in good health'.
Literally 'arm is good', meaning 'skillful' or 'able'. Often used for professionals like chefs, mechanics, or craftsmen. Emphasizes practical ability.
あの寿司職人は腕がいい。
That sushi chef is really skillful.
Commenting on how something was performed or made with skill.
Means 'splendid', 'magnificent', or 'skillful'. Used to praise a performance, result, or achievement. Often implies admiration.
見事な演奏だった。
It was a skillful/magnificent performance.
見事にやってのけた。
He pulled it off skillfully.
Means 'vivid', 'brilliant', or 'skillful'. Often describes a performance or technique that is impressively clean and deft.
Means 'ingenious' or 'skillful', often with a nuance of cleverness or cunning. Used for schemes, tricks, or intricate designs.
Both mean 'skillful/good at', but 上手 (じょうず) is more polite and standard, while うまい is casual and often used among friends. うまい can also mean 'delicious', so be careful with context. In formal situations, stick to 上手.
上司に「お上手ですね」と言った。
I told my boss, 'You're skillful.' (polite)
友達に「うまい！」と言った。
I told my friend, 'You're good!' (casual)
In Japanese, directly praising your own skill with 上手 can sound boastful. It's more natural to use humble expressions or deny the compliment. For example, instead of saying 'I'm skillful at cooking', you might say 'I like cooking' or 'I cook a little'.
料理が趣味です。
Cooking is my hobby. (humble way to imply skill)
彼女は見事な演奏をした。
She gave a skillful performance.
彼は交渉が上手だ。
He is skillful at negotiating.
He is skillful/proficient in English.
鮮やかな技で相手を倒した。
He defeated his opponent with a skillful technique.
巧妙な手口で詐欺を働いた。
He committed fraud with a skillful/ingenious method.