上手
彼女はピアノが上手です。
She is good at playing the piano.
skilled or proficient in an activity or subject
彼は料理が上手だ。
He is good at cooking.
この絵は上手に描かれている。
This painting is skillfully drawn.
Often used to describe someone's ability in a non-professional context. Contrast with 得意 (tokui), which implies a personal strength or preference.
skillful or well-done (of an action or result)
上手に歌ったね！
You sang well!
上手な手紙を書いた。
I wrote a skillful letter.
Can describe the quality of an action or result, not just a person's ability.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Humble vs. Praising
Use 上手 to praise others, but avoid using it for yourself in formal or humble contexts. Instead, say 得意です (tokui desu) or まあまあです (maa maa desu) to be modest.
Gold Rule
Conjugation
上手 is a na-adjective. Conjugate it with だ/です for present affirmative, ではない/じゃない for negative, and な for noun-modifying forms (e.g., 上手な人).
Word Origin
From the kanji 上 (above, superior) and 手 (hand), implying 'superior hand' or 'dexterity'. The sense of 'skillful' dates back to classical Japanese.
Usage Notes
上手 is a na-adjective and conjugates like one (e.g., 上手だ, 上手な, 上手に). It is more commonly used in informal contexts compared to 得意, which can sound more formal or self-deprecating. Avoid using 上手 to describe yourself in a humble context; use 得意 or 足手まとい (lit. 'foot-bound') instead.