～が上手 | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + が + 上手

[verb (dictionary form)] + の + が + 上手 [verb (dictionary form)] + こと + が + 上手

Description

means "good at". The thing someone is good at takes and the person takes . A verb needs in front of が, which turns it into a noun.

。

He is good at Japanese.

。

My older sister is good at the piano.

。

She is good at singing.

× 歌うが上手です → 歌うのが上手です

can stand where の does, but it sounds stiffer: .

上手 or 得意

上手 is praise, so it is for other people's skills. Saying it about yourself sounds like boasting. For your own strong points, use とくい得意, "good at, my strength".

。

You're a good cook, Tanaka.

。

Cooking is my strong point.

× 私は料理が上手です → 私は料理が得意です

Being praised

When someone says your Japanese is 上手, the usual reply plays it down rather than saying thank you outright.

。

Your Japanese is good.

、。

No, I've still got a long way to go.

Usage notes

These go beyond 上手 at the end of a sentence.

Not good at

上手 takes the ordinary な-adjective negative. あまり with it is the polite way to say someone is not good at something; へた下手 is blunter.

。

My older brother isn't very good at singing.

Before a noun and before a verb

Before a noun, 上手 takes な. Before a verb, it takes に and means "well, skilfully".

。

She is someone who is good at drawing.

。

You use chopsticks well.

Examples

。

He is good at Japanese.

。

My older sister is good at playing the piano.

。

She is good at drawing.

。

Mr. Yamada is good at skiing.

きごう！

Your English is very good!

。

She is good at cooking.

。

My younger brother is good at playing soccer.

。

Mr. Tanaka is good at singing.

。

He is good at talking with people.

。

My friend is good at taking photos.

。

My older brother isn't very good at singing.

。

My mother wears a kimono well.

References

Good Bad Atimabi.org