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Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "上手", "巧み", "達筆", "折衝禦侮", "郢斤燕削"

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

巧み

たくみ (takumi)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

達筆

たっぴつ (tappitsu)
C2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

折衝禦侮

せっしょうぎょぶ (sesshougyobu)
C2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E

郢斤燕削

えいきんえんさく (eikin'ensaku)
C2 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "skillful" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "上手", "巧み", "達筆", "折衝禦侮", "郢斤燕削" based on context.
  • 上手 (じょうず (jōzu) - Level: N5): Maps to "skillful, good at" and is used when な-adjective.
  • 巧み (たくみ (takumi) - Level: N2): Maps to "skillful, clever, ingenious" and is used when Highlights a high level of skill or ingenuity, especially in intricate or delicate tasks. Can be used as 巧みな.
  • 達筆 (たっぴつ (tappitsu) - Level: C2): Maps to "skillful calligraphy" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
  • 折衝禦侮 (せっしょうぎょぶ (sesshougyobu) - Level: C2): Maps to "Skillful, conflict-averting diplomacy" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
  • 郢斤燕削 (えいきんえんさく (eikin'ensaku) - Level: C2): Maps to "skillful correction of writing" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
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 "巧み"
彼女は巧みな話術で聴衆を魅了した。
She captivated the audience with her skillful way of speaking.
Context for "達筆"
私は達筆に興味があります。
I am interested in skillful calligraphy.
Context for "折衝禦侮"
私は折衝禦侮に興味があります。
I am interested in Skillful, conflict-averting diplomacy.
Context for "郢斤燕削"
私は郢斤燕削に興味があります。
I am interested in skillful correction of writing.

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.".

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