上手（じょうず）・下手（へた）・得意（とくい）・苦手（にがて）

Whether you’re introducing yourself, talking about your skills, or just chatting with friends, it’s useful to know how to say you’re good or bad at something in Japanese. Today, we’ll learn four key words:

• 上手（じょうず）
• 下手（へた）
• 得意（とくい）
• 苦手（にがて）

Let’s look at how to use each of them and understand the differences!

✨ Basic Meanings

Japanese	Hiragana	Meaning in English	Usage Feeling
上手	じょうず	Good at (objective)	Used to praise skills, usually someone else’s
下手	へた	Bad at (objective)	Used to describe poor skills
得意	とくい	Good at (subjective)	Confident or comfortable doing something
苦手	にがて	Bad at / weak at (subjective)	Not comfortable with something, often used to express dislike or difficulty

上手・下手 – Objective Skill Words

These are often used to talk about actual skill level. They’re usually used when judging others’ abilities. Be careful using 下手 for others — it can sound rude!

🔹 上手（じょうず） – Good at something

Often used to compliment others. Use it carefully for yourself — it might sound too proud.

Example:

• 山田やまださんはギターが上手じょうずです。 (Yamada-san is good at guitar.)
• 私わたしは英語えいごが上手じょうずじゃないです。 (I’m not good at English.) (Humble)

🔹 下手（へた） – Bad at something

Used for someone who is not skillful. You can use it freely for yourself.

Example:

• 私わたしは絵えをかくのが下手へたです。 (I’m bad at drawing.)
• 彼かれはダンスが下手へたです。 *(He is bad at dancing.) *be careful to use this when talking about someone else… it may sound rude unless you are very close to the person that you feel comfortable saying this as a joke etc. 

得意・苦手 – Subjective Feeling Words

These are used when talking about what you’re personally comfortable or uncomfortable with. Even if you’re not the best, you can say it’s your 得意 if you feel confident!

🔹 得意（とくい） – Confident in / good at

Used to express your strong points or areas you feel good about.

Example:

• 私わたしは料理りょうりが得意とくいです。 (I’m good at cooking.)
• 兄あには数学すうがくが得意とくいです。 (My older brother is good at math.)

🔹 苦手（にがて） – Not good at / weak at

Used to describe things you’re not comfortable with or dislike.

Example:

• 私わたしは虫むしが苦手にがてです。 (I’m not good with insects.)
• スピーチをするのは苦手にがてです。 (I’m not comfortable with giving speeches.)

 Comparison Chart

Word	Meaning	Objective or Subjective?	Polite to Use for Others?
上手（じょうず）	Good at something	Objective	✅ Yes
下手（へた）	Bad at something	Objective	⚠️ Careful! Can be rude
得意（とくい）	Strong point / confident	Subjective	✅ Yes
苦手（にがて）	Weak point / dislike	Subjective	⚠️ Softer, but still be polite

When to Use Which Word?

Situation	Use This Word
Complimenting a friend’s drawing	上手 (じょうず)
Talking humbly about your own singing	下手 (へた)
Saying you feel confident in cooking	得意 (とくい)
Talking about disliking speaking in public	苦手 (にがて)

🎯 Practice Time – Let’s Try It!

Part 1: Fill in the Blank

Choose the best word: 上手・下手・得意・苦手

1. 田中たなかさんはピアノがとても＿＿＿です。(good at)
2. 私わたしは早はやく起おきるのが＿＿＿です。(bad at)
3. 弟おとうとは料理りょうりが＿＿＿なので、毎日作まいにちつくってくれます。(good at)
4. 私わたしは絵えをかくのが＿＿＿です。(good at)
5. 私わたしはスポーツが＿＿＿だけど、見みるのは好すきです。(bad at)
6. 母はははカラオケが＿＿＿です。とてもきれいな声こえです。(good at)

Answers:

1. 上手
2. 苦手
3. 上手
4. 得意
5. 下手
6. 上手

Part 2: True or False?

Write ✅ (Correct) or ❌ (Incorrect).

1. 私わたしは虫むしが下手へたです。
2. 父ちちは運転うんてんが得意とくいです。
3. 私わたしの友達ともだちはピアノが下手へたです。
4. 英語えいごは苦手にがてだけど、フランス語ごは得意とくいです。
5. あの人ひとは日本語にほんごが上手じょうずです。

Answers:

1. ❌ (※ Use 苦手, not 下手)
2. ✅
3. ❌ (※ Use 苦手, 下手 is a strong statement that it may sound rude to her)
4. ✅
5. ✅

Part 3: Write Your Own!

Try using the words in your own sentences:

1. 私、得意とくい
2. 私、苦手にがて
3. 私の友達ともだち、上手じょうず
4. 私の家族かぞく、苦手にがて

🌟 Challenge Time!

Describe something you’re good at and  something you’re bad at?
Write it in the comment section!

Example:

• 私わたしは数学すうがくが得意とくいですが、あまり好すきじゃないです。
• 私わたしはサッカーが下手へたですが、大好だいすきです！

🎮 Summary

Word	Meaning	Notes
上手 (じょず)	Good at (objective)	Use to compliment others
下手 (へた)	Bad at (objective)	OK for self, careful for others
得意 ( とくい)	Good at / confident (subjective)	About your comfort level
苦手 (にがて)	Weak at / uncomfortable (subjective)	Often implies dislike too

Now do you see the different among these 4 words? Feel free to leave us questions in the comment section if you have any!

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