上手

• 読み: じょうず
• ローマ字: jouzu
• 漢字の分解: 上 (jō/ue) — up, above, upper; 手 (zu/te) — hand
• 発音: /d͡ʑo.ɯ.zɯ/

意味

Skillful; good at; proficient. Used to praise someone's ability at a specific activity.

A na-adjective used to describe someone who is skilled at something. The activity is marked with が: 日本語が上手です (You are good at Japanese). Often used as a compliment. Note: telling a Japanese person 日本語が上手ですね is such a common compliment to foreigners that it has become somewhat of a cliche. The antonym is 下手 (heta, poor at).

例文

1. あなたは料理が上手ですね。
2. 彼女はピアノが上手です。
3. 上手に絵を描きました。

使い方ガイド

場面: compliments, abilities, daily life

トーン: positive

起源と歴史

Literally 'upper hand' — 上 (up) and 手 (hand). The metaphor of the upper hand representing skill or mastery is shared across many cultures. Originally a term from traditional performing arts.

文化的背景

時代: Medieval

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal