Translation and Meaning of: 得意 - tokui

The Japanese word 得意[とくい] is a versatile term that frequently appears in everyday life and in Japanese media. If you are studying the language or just curious about Japanese expressions, understanding its meaning and usage can enrich your knowledge. In this article, we will explore everything from the translation and origin to the cultural context in which this word stands out.

In the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you will find detailed explanations about terms like 得意, but here we go beyond the basic definition. Discover how the Japanese use this word in real situations, its connection to local values, and even tips for memorizing it effectively. Get ready to uncover the secrets behind this expressive vocabulary.

Meaning and translation of 得意

In its essence, 得意[とくい] carries two main meanings. The first refers to something in which a person is skilled or has an aptitude, as in "彼は料理が得意です" (he is good at cooking). The second sense is related to a feeling of pride or satisfaction, often translated as "being at ease" or "having confidence."

Although it can be confused with similar terms like 上手[じょうず], which also indicates skill, 得意 has a more personal tone. While 上手 is an objective compliment, 得意 reflects the speaker's subjective perception of themselves or someone else. This nuance makes all the difference in everyday communication in Japan.

Origin and composition of kanjis

The writing of 得意 combines two Chinese characters with interesting stories. The first kanji, 得, means "to gain" or "to obtain," while 意 represents "mind" or "intention." Together, they convey the idea of "gaining in the mind," which evolved into the current concept of mastery or pride in a skill.

According to Kanjipedia, one of the most respected reference dictionaries in Japan, this combination emerged during the Heian period (794-1185). Originally used in Buddhist contexts to speak about spiritual understanding, it gradually gained the more earthly meaning that we know today. This semantic journey demonstrates how the Japanese language transforms abstract ideas into everyday expressions.

Cultural usage and frequency

In Japan, declaring that something is 自分の得意[じぶんのとくい] (your strong point) goes beyond a mere statement. It reflects a cultural value where the recognition of one's own skills is balanced with humility. For this reason, it is common to hear phrases like "少し得意です" (I am a little good at this) even when the person has evident mastery.

Research from the National Institute of the Japanese Language shows that 得意 appears among the 3,000 most commonly used words in the country. Its presence is notable in school settings, job interviews, and even in animes like "Shokugeki no Soma," where characters frequently discuss their culinary specialties. This popularity makes the term essential knowledge for anyone looking to understand authentic communication in Japan.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 自慢 (jiman) - Pride; vanity.
• 得手 (ete) - Skill; talent in something specific.
• 得意満々 (tokui manman) - To be extremely satisfied; overflowing with confidence in your abilities.
• 得意気 (tokui-ki) - Expression of pride or satisfaction; having a confident attitude.
• 得意洋々 (tokui yōyō) - Be very happy and confident about your achievements.

得意

Romaji: tokui
Kana: とくい
Type: Noun, adjective
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: pride; triumph; prosperity; the strong point of someone; someone's forte; someone's specialty; client; client

Meaning in English: pride;triumph;prosperity;one's strong point;one's forte;one's specialty;customer;client

Definition: 1. To have the ability or skill to be good at something specific.

Example Sentences - (得意) tokui

See below some example sentences:

調理は私の得意分野です。

Chōri wa watashi no tokui bun'ya desu

Cooking is my specialty.

Cooking is my specialty.

• 調理 - Food preparation
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possessive particle
• 得意 - Skill, specialty
• 分野 - Field, area
• です - is

彼女は猫を抓るのが得意です。

Kanojo wa neko o toru no ga tokui desu

She is good at catching cats.

She is good at hitting a cat.

• 彼女 - She
• は - Topic particle
• 猫 - cat
• を - Direct object particle
• 抓る - capture
• のが - Nominal particle
• 得意 - ability
• です - polite way of being

彼女は彼からお金を取り立てるのが得意だ。

Kanojo wa kare kara okane wo toritateru no ga tokui da

She is good at collecting money from him.

She is good at collecting money from him.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 彼 (kare) - he
• から (kara) - from, starting at
• お金 (okane) - money
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 取り立てる (toritateru) - charge, demand
• のが (noga) - particle indicating skill or talent
• 得意 (tokui) - skilled, talented
• だ (da) - Verb "to be"

数学は私の得意科目です。

Sūgaku wa watashi no tokui kamoku desu

Mathematics is my favorite subject.

Mathematics is my specialty.

• 数学 (sūgaku) - Math
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 得意 (tokui) - Skill, specialty
• 科目 (kamoku) - discipline, subject
• です (desu) - Verb to be

暗算が得意です。

Anzan ga tokui desu

I'm good at mental arithmetic.

I'm good at mental arithmetic.

• 暗算 - Mental calculation
• が - subject particle
• 得意 - Skill, specialty
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私は料理が得意です。

Watashi wa ryōri ga tokui desu

I am good at cooking.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 料理 (ryouri) - Japanese noun meaning "cooking" or "culinary"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "cooking" or "culinary"
• 得意 (tokui) - Japanese adjective that means "to be good at", "to have skill in" or "to be a specialist in"
• です (desu) - Japanese linking verb indicating present tense and formality, in this case "I'm good at cooking"

私は餃子を固めるのが得意です。

Watashi wa gyoza wo katameru no ga tokui desu

I am good at making Gyoza very firm.

I am good at hardening Gyoza.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 餃子 (gyouza) - word meaning "guioza", a type of Japanese food
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 固める (katameru) - verb meaning "to squeeze" or "to compact"
• の (no) - possession particle indicating that the skill described belongs to the subject of the sentence
• が (ga) - subject particle indicating that the subject is the one who possesses the skill described
• 得意 (tokui) - adjective meaning "good at" or "skilled at"
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative

私は巻物を巻くのが得意です。

Watashi wa makimono wo maku no ga tokui desu

I am skilled at rolling scrolls.

I am good at wrapping rolls.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 巻物 (makimono) - substantive that means "scroll"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "scroll of parchment"
• 巻く (maku) - verb that means "to enroll"
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates the function of the nominal subject of the sentence, in this case "to roll"
• 得意 (tokui) - adjective that means "to be good at"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and affirmative form of the sentence

私は犬に馴れるのが得意です。

Watashi wa inu ni nareru no ga tokui desu

I'm good at getting used to dogs.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 犬 (inu) - noun meaning "dog"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the indirect object of the sentence, in this case "for the dog"
• 馴れる (nareru) - verb meaning "to get used to"
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates the function of the nominal subject of the sentence, in this case "being good at getting used to it"
• 得意 (tokui) - adjective meaning "good at"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and respectful form of the sentence

私は裁縫が得意です。

Watashi wa saihou ga tokui desu

I am skilled

I am good at sewing.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 裁縫 - noun that means "sewing"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 得意 - adjective that means "to be good at something"
• です - linking verb that indicates the formality and politeness of the sentence