Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "上手な", "器用な", "巧み", "巧妙な", "達筆"
All represent the core concept "skillful", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
上手な
じょうずな (jōzuna)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
器用な
きような (kiyou na)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
巧み
たくみ (takumi)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
巧妙な
こうみょうな (koumyouna)
B2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
達筆
たっぴつ (tappitsu)
C2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "skillful" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "上手な", "器用な", "巧み", "巧妙な", "達筆" based on context.
- 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.
- 巧妙な (こうみょうな (koumyouna) - Level: B2): Maps to "skillful, clever" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus..
- 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..
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 "巧妙な"
これはとても巧妙なですね。
This is very skillful, clever, isn't it?
Context for "達筆"
私は達筆に興味があります。
I am interested in skillful calligraphy.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "田中さんは料理が上手です。" (Meaning: "Mr. Tanaka is good at cooking.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "上手な" is correct here because it represents "skillful, good at, adept" in the context: "Mr. Tanaka is good at cooking.".