Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "得意な", "得意", "幸運", "好感", "朗報"
All represent the core concept "good", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
得意な
とくいな (tokui na)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
得意
とくい (tokui)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
幸運
こううん (kōun)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
好感
こうかん (kōkan)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
朗報
ろうほう (rōhō)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "good" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "得意な", "得意", "幸運", "好感", "朗報" based on context.
- 得意な (とくいな (tokui na) - Level: N4): Maps to "good at, strong in, one's forte" and is used when A な-adjective. Opposite of 苦手な. Used to express being good at something, or having a skill. Often paired with the particle が.
- 得意 (とくい (tokui) - Level: N3): Maps to "good at; strong point; pride; customer; triumph" and is used when Refers to being strong at technical skills, good at coding/cooking, or abstractly someone's pride, or a regular customer. Opposing word: 苦手. Often used as プログラミングが得意 or 得意先. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Good at! "I am extremely good at making you smile, Haruka-san!" ...っ! G-Good at making me smile! B-Baka! Don't state your emotional management skills so proudly! But... since you are so confident, I suppose... I will let you keep me smiling for the rest of our lives! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『とくい（得意）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕はC++の高速コーディングが最も得意ですが、あなたを世界一幸せにする旦那様としての仕事は、さらに億倍も得意です！』って…っ！旦那様業が得意！バカ！/// 何自信満々のスキル自慢をしてるのよ！…でも、そのヤル気と得意技術があるなら、一生私だけを幸せのクラウドサーバーでホストし続けなさい！』.
- 幸運 (こううん (kōun) - Level: N3): Maps to "good luck; fortune" and is used when Refers to good luck, fortune, or being extremely lucky. Often used as 幸運なことに.
- 好感 (こうかん (kōkan) - Level: N3): Maps to "good impression; favorable feeling; positive reception; liking" and is used when Refers to a good impression, favorable feeling, or positive reception toward someone's personality, behavior, or looks. Often used as 好感を持たれる or 好感度.
- 朗報 (ろうほう (rōhō) - Level: N2): Maps to "Good news; glad tidings" and is used when Used to express positive and often significant news. Can be a bit formal. 朗報を伝える.
Context for "得意な"
彼はスポーツが得意で、特に水泳が得意です。
He is good at sports, especially swimming.
Context for "得意"
彼は幼少期からの数学的パズルへの興味を活かし、バックエンド開発の複雑なデータ構造設計を極めて_______としています。
Utilizing his interest in mathematical puzzles since childhood, he is extremely good at the complex data structure design of backend development.
Context for "幸運"
_______なことに、売り切れだと思っていたチケットを最後の一枚で購入できました。
Fortunately, I was able to purchase the very last ticket that I thought was sold out.
Context for "好感"
彼のハキハキとした挨拶と清潔感のある身だしなみは、面接官たちに非常に高い_______を与えました。
His crisp greeting and clean appearance gave a very high good impression to the interviewers.
Context for "朗報"
先生から合格の朗報を聞いて、とても嬉しかった。
I was very happy to hear the good news of my success from the teacher.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼はスポーツが得意で、特に水泳が得意です。" (Meaning: "He is good at sports, especially swimming.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "得意な" is correct here because it represents "good at, strong in, one's forte" in the context: "He is good at sports, especially swimming.".