得意
tokui[to̞kɯ̟i]
The English phrase "good at" is translated into Japanese as 得意 (tokui).
得意 is used to describe having a natural talent, a high level of skill or a specialty in a particular activity. It carries a nuance of being something the speaker feels confident in. For example, while 得意 describes proficiency, if you are specifically talking about being good at rock-paper-scissors in a casual setting, a speaker might instead use the phrase じゃんけんが強い.
Which one should you use?
得意 focuses on the speaker's personal proficiency and the confidence they feel in a subject. This differs from 上手, which focuses more on the outward display of skill or technique. Additionally, 得意 has the direct antonym 苦手, which is used to express being bad at or having a weakness in a particular area.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this in a polite sentence, follow the noun with the particle が and the verb 得意です. When using 得意 as a na-adjective to modify a noun directly, use the form 得意な.
How do you pronounce it?
tokui
Did you know?
- The antonym 苦手 is frequently used as a polite way to decline an invitation or a food item without saying 'I hate it'.
- While 得意 describes a skill you feel confident in, using it to describe your own ability in a formal professional setting can sometimes sound a bit boastful or self-centered.
- In Japanese, you can be 得意 at something that is not a skill, such as being 'good at' acting a certain way to get what you want.
Examples in context
- バスケ得意？Are you good at basketball?This sentence is used to ask if someone is good at basketball using 得意.Tatoeba #8612397 by small_snow, translation #5105564 by AlanF_US
- 野球は得意？Are you good at baseball?This sentence is used to ask if someone is good at baseball using 得意.Tatoeba #8776596 by bunbuku, translation #6269873 by CK
- テニスは得意？Are you good at tennis?This sentence is used to ask if someone is good at tennis using 得意.Tatoeba #8747270 by bunbuku, translation #39405 by xtofu80
- 彼は料理が上手です。He is good at cooking.
- 彼女はピアノが上手です。She is good at playing the piano.
- 彼は英語が得意です。He is good at English.
- 彼女は数学が得意です。She is good at mathematics.
- 彼はバスケがうまいよ。He is good at basketball.
- 彼女はダンスがうまいね。She is good at dancing.
- 彼はじゃんけんが強いな。He is good at rock-paper-scissors.
- あの子はじゃんけんが強いよ。That kid is good at rock-paper-scissors.
- 料理が上手Good at cooking
- 歌が上手Good at singing
- スポーツが上手Good at sports
- 138 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking about their school clubs.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵は、何か得意なことはある？Himari wa, nanika tokui na koto wa aru?Himari, is there anything you are good at?
- 陽葵 Himari歌が得意だよ。陽太は？Uta ga tokui da yo. Youta wa?I am good at singing. How about you, Youta?
- 陽太 Yota僕はサッカーが得意じゃないんだ。Boku wa sakkaa ga tokui janai nda.I'm not good at soccer.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、他のスポーツは何が得意なの？Jaa, hoka no supootsu wa nani ga tokui na no?Then, what other sports are you good at?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 得意, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
