下手(へた)

下手(へた) is a na-adjective meaning unskillful or bad at something.

Common patterns

〜が下手(へた)です: to be bad at ~

Similar words

• 上手(じょうず): skillful, good at (opposite)
• 得意(とくい): strong point, good at (confidence-based)
• 苦手(にがて): not good at, weak point (broader than skill — includes dislike)

Cultural note

Japanese modesty (謙遜(けんそん)) means people commonly say 下手(へた)です about their own abilities, even when skilled. This is polite, not necessarily literal.

Watch out

Avoid using 下手(へた) directly about others — it can sound blunt or rude. 苦手(にがて) or 上手(じょうず)じゃない are softer alternatives.

Forms

• 下手(へた)な〜: unskillful ~ (modifier)
• 下手(へた)に: clumsily, poorly (adverbial)