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八丁 (はっちょう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
noun
skillfulness ; being adept ; clever facility
A limited noun use meaning skill or facility, especially visible in set expressions such as 口八丁手八丁, meaning someone is skillful both in speech and in practical action. It is not usually used as a free everyday synonym for 上手さ.
口くち 八はっ 丁ちょう な 説せつ 明めい に だまさ れ ない よう に 注ちゅう 意い し た 。
I was careful not to be taken in by his slick, skillful talk.
Written forms 八はっ 丁ちょう Usage 100%
High-priority spelling for this word; often encountered inside idiomatic expressions such as 口八丁手八丁.
八はっ 挺ちょう
Attested alternate spelling, but much less practical for learners; in other contexts it may be read literally as a count of eight long objects or tools.
Kanji 八 eight, eight radical (no. 12) 挺 bravely volunteer, counter for guns, inksticks, palanquins, rickshaws Similar words 上手じょうず A common, general word for being good at something; 八丁 is much more limited and idiomatic.
器き 用よう Often means dexterous, handy, or tactful; 八丁 emphasizes skillfulness in fixed expressions, especially speech and practical ability.
口くち 八はっ 丁ちょう 手て 八はっ 丁ちょう A common idiomatic expression containing 八丁, used for someone who is both persuasive with words and capable with their hands or actions.
Etymology The written form combines 八, 'eight,' with 丁 or the variant 挺, but the exact historical development of the meaning 'skillfulness' is uncertain. The spelling is conventionally associated with idiomatic uses such as 口八丁手八丁.
