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手際 (てぎわ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun
skill ; dexterity ; efficiency
Refers to how skillfully and efficiently someone handles a task. Very common in evaluations such as 手際がいい and 手際が悪い.
て
は
、
仕し
事ごと
の
手て
際ぎわ
が
よかっ
た
。
For a newcomer, he handled the work very skillfully.
2
noun
execution ; workmanship ; way of handling
Focuses on the actual manner or quality of carrying something out, rather than only the person's general ability. Often used with adjectives like 鮮やかな, 見事な, or 悪い.
Written forms 手て 際ぎわ Usage 86%
Standard kanji spelling; this is the high-priority form.
手て ぎわ Usage 13%
Mixed kanji-kana spelling given; less standard-looking than 手際 but understandable.
てぎわ Usage 1%
Similar words 要よう 領りょう Often means the knack or method for doing something efficiently; 手際 is more about the observed skill or handling of the task.
腕うで 前まえ Means skill or ability, especially in a craft, art, sport, or technique; 手際 emphasizes efficiency and smooth handling in action.
段だん 取ど り Refers to planning, setup, or arrangements before doing a task; 手際 describes how skillfully the task is carried out.
Etymology Written with 手, associated with the hand or handling, and 際, associated with an edge or point. As a word, 手際 conventionally refers to one's skill or manner in handling a task; the exact historical development is not specified.