na-adjective, noun
skillful; clever; tactful; skillfulness
A somewhat written or evaluative word for being skilled, clever, or tactful in handling something. As a na-adjective, it often describes skill in a particular activity or way of dealing with people.
彼女は交渉が巧者だ。
She is skillful at negotiating.
相手を傷つけない断り方に、彼
Her tact shows in the way she refuses without hurting the other person.
noun
skillful person; clever person in a field
Used as a noun for someone especially adept in a particular area. It commonly appears in compounds or labels such as 選挙巧者 and 試合巧者.
彼は選挙巧者として知られている。
He is known as someone highly skilled at elections.
あの監督は試合巧者だ。
That manager is very good at handling games.
A much more everyday word for being good at something; 巧者 sounds more written and often implies clever handling or tactical skill.
Also means skillful or clever, and is often more flexible for describing methods, techniques, or wording; 巧者 more readily labels a person or their adeptness.
Means skillful or fluent, often with language, speech, or performance ability; 巧者 emphasizes cleverness, tact, or tactical competence.
A Sino-Japanese compound. In the standard spelling 巧者, 巧 is associated with skill or cleverness and 者 with a person; this supports the meanings 'skillful' and 'skillful person.'