のが上手 | Grammar

Structure

[verb (dictionary form)] + のが上手

Description

のが上手 means "good at doing". The verb is in the dictionary form, の turns it into a noun, and that noun takes が before 上手. The person who is good at it takes は.

。

She's good at singing.

。

My father is good at cooking.

。

The teacher is very good at explaining things.

上手 is a な-adjective, so it is 上手だった in the past and 上手じゃない in the negative. The verb stays in the dictionary form.

。

She has been good at dancing since she was little.

、。

My friend is good at swimming, but I'm not.

× 歌うのを上手です → 歌うのが上手です
× 歌うが上手です → 歌うのが上手です

上手 or 得意

上手 is praise, so it is for other people. Said about yourself it sounds like boasting. For your own skills, use とくい得意, "my strong point".

。

You're a good listener, Ms Yamada.

。

Swimming is my strong point.

With a noun, there is no の: にほんご日本語がじょうず上手ですね. The opposite is のがへた下手.

Examples

。

She is good at singing.

。

Mr. Tanaka is good at cooking, isn't he?

。

That child is good at drawing pictures.

。

My older sister is good at playing the piano.

。

He is good at speaking Japanese.

。

Ms. Yamada is good at listening to people.

、。

My friend is good at swimming, but I'm not.

。

Your mother is good at taking photos, isn't she?

。

She has been good at dancing since she was little.

。

The teacher is very good at explaining things.

きごう？

Who is the best at playing soccer?

。

Cats are good at hiding.

References

Good Bad Atimabi.org