上手だ

jōzu da

phrase★Intermediate— to be good at

informal

To be skilled or proficient at something, typically through practice or talent.

彼はサッカーが上手だ

He is good at soccer.

上手に英語を話す

To speak English well.

💡

Often used to compliment someone's abilities or skills in a particular area.

Collocations

to be good at (often used for personal strengths)

to be bad at

Use '上手です' (jōzu desu) in formal contexts.

Avoid using '上手だ' for abstract skills like 'being good at math' unless referring to practical application.

From 上 (above) + 手 (hand), originally referring to dexterity or skillfulness with one's hands.

Commonly used in casual conversation to praise someone's abilities. Can also be used self-deprecatingly.

上手

skillful, proficient

root

だ

is, am, are (plain form)

suffix

和英辞典