Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "上手", "上手な", "器用な", "巧妙"
All represent the core concept "skillful", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
上手
じょうず (jōzu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
上手な
じょうずな (jōzuna)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
器用な
きような (kiyou na)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
巧妙
こうみょう (kōmyō)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "skillful" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "上手", "上手な", "器用な", "巧妙" based on context.
- 上手 (じょうず (jōzu) - Level: N5): Maps to "skillful, good at" and is used when な-adjective.
- 上手な (じょうずな (jōzuna) - Level: N4): Maps to "skillful, good at, adept" and is used when Used to describe someone else's skill. Rarely used for oneself unless being humble or sarcastic. Often followed by が.
- 器用な (きような (kiyou na) - Level: N3): Maps to "skillful; handy; dexterous" and is used when A な-adjective describing someone who is good at using their hands, performing tasks with skill, or generally being able to handle various things well. Often contrasts with 不器用.
- 巧妙 (こうみょう (kōmyō) - Level: N2): Maps to "skillful, clever, ingenious, cunning" and is used when Describes something done with great skill, ingenuity, or cleverness, often implying a sophisticated or artful approach. Can sometimes have a nuance of cunning or trickery..
Context for "上手"
彼は日本語がとても上手です。
He is very good at Japanese.
Context for "上手な"
田中さんは料理が上手です。
Mr. Tanaka is good at cooking.
Context for "器用な"
彼女は手先がとても器用で、細かい作業が得意です。
She is very dexterous with her hands and is good at detailed work.
Context for "巧妙"
巧妙な手口でだまされた。
I was tricked by a clever trick.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は日本語がとても ＿＿＿ です。" (Meaning: "He is very good at Japanese.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "上手" is correct here because it represents "skillful, good at" in the context: "He is very good at Japanese.".