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).
He is skillful at cooking.
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.
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.
Describes the way someone works: efficiently, neatly, and skillfully. Focuses on the process rather than the innate ability.
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.
He is skillful at soccer.
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.
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.
It was a skillful/magnificent performance.
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.
I told my boss, 'You're skillful.' (polite)
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'.
Cooking is my hobby. (humble way to imply skill)
She gave a skillful performance.
He is skillful at negotiating.
He finished the sculpture with skillful hands.
彼女は器用で、何でも作れる。
She is skillful with her hands and can make anything.
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.