Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "器用な", "巧妙", "巧妙な", "郢斤燕削"
All represent the core concept "skillful", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
器用な
きような (kiyou na)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
巧妙
こうみょう (kōmyō)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
巧妙な
こうみょうな (koumyouna)
B2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
郢斤燕削
えいきんえんさく (eikin'ensaku)
C2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "skillful" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "器用な", "巧妙", "巧妙な", "郢斤燕削" based on context.
- 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..
- 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..
- 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..
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.
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 "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: "彼女は手先がとても器用で、細かい作業が得意です。" (Meaning: "She is very dexterous with her hands and is good at detailed work.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "器用な" is correct here because it represents "skillful; handy; dexterous" in the context: "She is very dexterous with her hands and is good at detailed work.".