上手 vs 得意
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 上手
Listen to 得意
| 上手 | 得意 |
|---|---|
joo-ZOO adjective | とくい adjective |
| skilled; good at doing something | good at something; especially skilled in a particular area |
How they differ
上手 focuses on observable skill or technique, often in a specific activity like speaking, writing, or playing an instrument. 得意 can mean the same, but it also carries the sense of a personal strength or favorite area, and it can sometimes imply confidence or enthusiasm rather than just technical ability.
When to use each
When to use 上手: Use 上手 when you want to say someone performs a task well or has strong practical skill.
When to use 得意: Use 得意 when you want to emphasize that something is a person’s strong point or an area where they are especially capable.
Side-by-side examples
- 彼は英語が上手です。
(He is good at English.) - 彼は英語が得意です。
(English is one of his strengths.)
Register & nuance: Both are common in everyday Japanese, but 得意 is especially natural when talking about personal strengths or school subjects.