得意(とくい)

とくい
na-adjective, noun
good at, specialty
1. good at, skilled at
Being skillful or proficient at something. Used to describe one's strengths or areas of expertise.
料理(りょうり)が得意(とくい)です。
I'm good at cooking.
数学(すうがく)が得意(とくい)だった。
I was good at math.
得意(とくい)な料理(りょうり)は何(なん)ですか。
What dish are you best at?
2. proud, triumphant
Feeling proud or self-satisfied, often shown in one's expression or manner.
得意(とくい)な顔(かお)をしている。
He has a proud/smug look on his face.
テストで満点(まんてん)を取(と)って得意(とくい)になっている。
He's feeling proud after getting a perfect score on the test.
得意(とくい)そうに自分(じぶん)の作品(さくひん)を見(み)せた。
They proudly showed their work.
3. regular customer, valued client
A customer who frequently patronizes a business. Used in business contexts.
彼(かれ)は得意(とくい)先(さき)を回(まわ)っている。
He's visiting his regular customers.
得意先 = regular customer, client
得意先(とくいさき)との関係(かんけい)を大切(たいせつ)にしている。
I value the relationships with my regular clients.
新(あたら)しい得意客(とくいきゃく)が増(ふ)えた。
We've gained new regular customers.

USAGE: 得意(とくい) has three main meanings. Most commonly used to describe what one is good at.

FORMS:

  • 得意(とくい)な〜 (na-adjective: good at ~)
  • 得意(とくい) (noun: one's forte, specialty)
  • 得意(とくい)になる (to become proud/smug)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 〜が得意(とくい)だ (to be good at ~)
  • 得意(とくい)科目(かもく) (best subject)
  • 得意(とくい)分野(ぶんや) (area of expertise)
  • 得意(とくい)先(さき)/得意(とくい)客(きゃく) (regular customer)
  • 得意(とくい)満面(まんめん) (looking very proud)

ANTONYM:

  • 苦手(にがて) (bad at, weak point) - opposite of sense 1

Note: When someone says they're 得意(とくい) at something in Japanese, they're not bragging - it's a straightforward statement of ability.

Related Words

Antonym: 苦手(にがて) (bad at)
general
Added 2026.1.12 18:40 · Revised 2026.3.1 8:29
03000/03455_tokui