γγεΎζγ§γγ»θ¦ζγ§γ
~ ga tokui desu / nigate desu
To be good at / bad at something.
πΈ Expressing Strengths and Weaknesses πΈ
π¬ Dialogue
Tanaka-san wa, supootsu ga tokui desu ka.
Tanaka-san, are you good at sports?
Tanaka: Hai, tenisu ga tokui desu. Ken-san wa?
Yes, I am good at tennis. How about you, Ken?
Ken: Watashi wa supootsu ga nigate desu. Demo, ryouri ga tokui desu.
I am bad at sports. But, I am good at cooking.
Tanaka: Ii desu ne! Watashi wa ryouri ga nigate desu.
That's nice! I am bad at cooking.
Ken: Suugaku wa dou desu ka.
How about math?
Tanaka: Suugaku wa chotto nigate desu.
I'm a bit bad at math.
π Vocabulary
5 wordsβ Key Sentence
[Noun] ga tokui desu / nigate desu
I am good at [Noun] / I am bad at [Noun].
- Pattern: [Noun] γ εΎζγ§γ / θ¦ζγ§γ
- Meaning: Expressing proficiency or lack thereof in a specific skill or subject.
E ga tokui desu.
I am good at drawing.
Uta ga nigate desu.
I am bad at singing.
π Explanation
To talk about things you are good or bad at, use the particle γ followed by εΎζ (tokui) or θ¦ζ (nigate).
εΎζγ§γ implies that you are skilled at something and confident in it.
θ¦ζγ§γ is used when you are not good at something or don't like doing it because you lack skill.
Note: While 'jouzu' (skillful) is often used to praise others, 'tokui' is more common when talking about your own strengths.
Ryouri ga tokui desu.
= 'I am good at cooking.'
Suugaku ga nigate desu.
= 'I am bad at math.'
π Quiz
How do you say 'I am bad at sports' in Japanese?