| 得意 (tokui) | 特技 (tokugi) | 才能 (sainou) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Good at (something) | Special skill / party trick | Talent / natural gift |
| Type | Skill through practice/habit | Standout skill for social contexts | Innate natural ability |
| Grammar | Na-adjective | Noun | Noun |
| Self-use? | Yes | Yes (when introducing yourself) | Yes (humbled) / others (praising) |
YukaHow do I say “I’m good at cooking” in Japanese? And is that different from having a talent for cooking?
ReiGreat question! 得意 is “good at” — it’s what you do well. 特技 is a spotlight skill you share with others. 才能 is raw natural talent. All different!
What Does 得意 (tokui) Mean?
得意 is a na-adjective meaning good at or skilled in. It describes something you do well, usually through practice or preference. It is used for both subjects in school and daily-life skills.
- 私は料理が得意です。 — I am good at cooking.
- 彼は数学が得意だ。 — He is good at math.
- 得意科目は英語です。 — My best subject is English.
- それは得意じゃない。 — I’m not great at that.
What Does 特技 (tokugi) Mean?
特技 means special skill — specifically the kind of skill you highlight when introducing yourself or impressing others. Think: job interviews, dating profiles, or icebreakers. It is a noun.
- 特技はギターを弾くことです。 — My special skill is playing guitar.
- 特技は何ですか？ — What is your special skill?
- マジックが特技だ。 — Magic is my special skill.
- 面接で特技を聞かれた。 — I was asked about my special skills in the interview.
What Does 才能 (sainou) Mean?
才能 means talent — a natural, often innate gift or aptitude for something. It implies ability that goes beyond practice alone. It is often used when praising others or in more formal/literary contexts.
- 彼女は音楽の才能がある。 — She has a talent for music.
- 絵の才能に恵まれた。 — I was blessed with a talent for drawing.
- 才能を伸ばす。 — To develop one’s talent.
- 天才的な才能。 — Genius-level talent.
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | 得意 | 特技 | 才能 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Practice / habit | Standout skill (any source) | Innate gift |
| Grammar | Na-adjective (得意な/得意だ) | Noun | Noun |
| Social use | Stating personal strengths | Self-introduction, interviews | Praising others, formal writing |
| Can be modest? | Yes — 得意じゃない | Slightly boastful but normal | Can feel like showing off if self-applied |
| Academic use? | Yes — 得意科目 | Less common | No |
YukaCan I use all three in one sentence?
ReiAbsolutely! “彼は絵の才能があり、特技はイラストで、デザインも得意だ” — He has a talent for art, his special skill is illustration, and he’s also good at design!
Quick Quiz
Fill in: 得意、特技、or 才能?
- 1. 彼には音楽の___がある。 (He has a talent for music.)
- 2. 私の___は料理です。 (My special skill is cooking.)
- 3. スペイン語が___です。 (I’m good at Spanish.)
- 4. 子どものころから絵の___があった。 (I’ve had a talent for drawing since childhood.)
Answers: 1. 才能 2. 特技 3. 得意 4. 才能
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Summary
| 得意 | 特技 | 才能 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core image | Your comfort zone, what you do well | Your standout party trick / intro skill | Your God-given gift |
| Use for | Everyday strengths, school subjects | Self-introductions, job interviews | Praising natural ability |
