What does it mean word for word?
The noun 得意 (tokui) carries the nuance of being one's specialty or something one is confident in.
Which one should you use?
While both 得意です (tokui desu) and 上手です (jouzu desu) mean "to be good at", 得意です focuses on one's own confidence and strength, whereas 上手です is more about technical skill and is often used by others to praise you.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To say "I am good at [skill/field]" politely, use the structure わたしは [skill/field] が 得意です。 For an informal setting, you can use わたしは [skill/field] が 得意なんだ。 or replace です with だ to say 得意だ, which is suitable for use with friends or family.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, one might say わたしは [skill/field] めっちゃ 得意やで。
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle が (ga) is used to mark the activity or subject that you are good at before the phrase 得意です.
How do you pronounce it?
tokui desu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 上手です (jouzu desu) to describe their own skills, but in Japanese, it can sound slightly unnatural or boastful when used for oneself. 得意です is the more natural choice for self-assessment.
Did you know?
- The phrase 得意です can be used to describe things that are not skills at all, such as being 'good at' (confident with) a specific type of food or a certain person's company.
- In Japanese social etiquette, instead of saying 得意です to express skill, people often use 苦手です (nigate desu), meaning 'I am weak at it', to avoid appearing boastful.
- The word 得意 contains the kanji for 'gain' or 'profit' 得 and 'meaning' or 'interest' 意, reflecting a historical sense of finding something advantageous or satisfying.
Examples in context
- 数学が得意です。I am good at math.This sentence shows how to use 得意です with the subject of math.Tatoeba #143578 by wat, translation #270988 by CC
- 語学が得意です。I am good at languages.This sentence shows how to use 得意です with the subject of languages.Tatoeba #10561183 by small_snow, translation #1828475 by Amastan
- 歴史が得意です。I am good at history.This sentence shows how to use 得意です with the subject of history.Tatoeba #10561184 by small_snow, translation #436367 by lukaszpp
- わたしは プログラミング が 得意です。I am good at programming.
- わたしは スポーツ が 得意です。I am good at sports.
- わたしは 数学 が 得意です。I am good at mathematics.
- わたしは 料理 が 得意なんだ。I am good at cooking.
- わたしは 絵画 が 得意なんだ。I am good at painting.
- わたしは 音楽 が 得意なんだ。I am good at music.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are discussing their hobbies.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さんは、料理が得意です か？Misaki-san wa, ryōri ga tokui desu ka?Misaki, are you good at cooking?
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、料理は苦手です。Iie, ryōri wa nigate desu.No, I'm not good at cooking.
- 蓮 Renそうですか。僕は料理が得意です。Sō desu ka. Boku wa ryōri ga tokui desu.I see. I am good at cooking.
- 美咲 Misakiすごいですね！今度教えてください。Sugoi desu ne! Kondo oshiete kudasai.That's amazing! Please teach me next time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
