手際がいい

• Reading: てぎわがいい
• Romaji: tegiwa ga ii
• Kanji breakdown: 手 (te) — hand; 際 (giwa) — edge, occasion
• Pronunciation: /te.ɡi.wa.ɡa.iː/

Meaning

Well-crafted; skilful; efficient. Describes someone who handles tasks deftly and smoothly.

An idiomatic adjective phrase combining 手際 (skill/dexterity) with がいい (is good). Used to praise someone's practical efficiency and smooth execution. Applicable to cooking, manual work, problem-solving, and any task requiring hands-on skill. The opposite is 手際が悪い (clumsy/inefficient). Can be used adverbially as 手際よく.

Examples

1. 彼女は手際がいいので料理があっという間にできる。 She's so efficient that she whips up a meal in no time.
2. 手際がいい美容師だから、いつも短時間で終わる。 My hairdresser is really skilled, so it's always done quickly.
3. 新人なのに手際がいいと上司に褒められた。 My boss praised me for being efficient even as a newcomer.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, work, compliments, daily life

Tone: appreciative

Origin & History

A native Japanese compound expression from 手際 (te-giwa, the edge of hand-skill) + がいい (is good). The phrase evaluates the quality of one's practical execution, praising smooth, efficient handiwork.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal