手 腕(しゅわん)

しゅわん

noun

skill; ability; capability; competence

formalbusinesswork

1. skill; ability; capability; competence

The ability to accomplish tasks effectively, especially in professional, business, or leadership contexts. Implies practical competence and the ability to get results.

彼(かれ)は経営(けいえい)の手腕(しゅわん)を発揮(はっき)した。

He demonstrated his management skills.

交渉(こうしょう)の手腕(しゅわん)が問(と)われる場面(ばめん)だ。

This is a situation where negotiation skills are put to the test.

彼(かれ)の手腕(しゅわん)を買(か)われ、社内(しゃない)で最(もっと)も難(むずか)しいプロジェクトを任(まか)された。

Valued for his skills, he was entrusted with the most difficult project in the company.

Etymology

手(しゅ) (hand) + 腕(わん) (arm)

Literally "hand and arm" - metaphorically refers to one's capability to handle and execute tasks.

Usage

手腕(しゅわん) emphasizes:

Practical ability to achieve results
Competence in handling complex situations
Leadership and management capacity
Professional expertise

Often used in business and professional contexts.

Common collocations

手腕(しゅわん)を発揮(はっき)する - to demonstrate one's ability
手腕(しゅわん)が問(と)われる - one's ability is tested
経営(けいえい)手腕(しゅわん) - management ability
交渉(こうしょう)手腕(しゅわん) - negotiation skills
政治(せいじ)手腕(しゅわん) - political acumen

Compounds

辣腕(らつわん) - shrewdness, strong ability (often 「辣腕(らつわん)の〜」)
敏腕(びんわん) - capable, competent (often 「敏腕(びんわん)な〜」)
凄腕(すごうで) - amazing skill, expert

Similar words

腕前(うでまえ) - skill, ability (often for crafts/sports)
実力(じつりょく) - actual ability
能力(のうりょく) - capability (general)
力量(りきりょう) - capacity, competence

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Slightly formal. Common in business and news contexts.

Related Words

Synonym: 腕前(うでまえ) (skill, ability)

Synonym: 実力(じつりょく) (actual ability)

Compare: 能力(のうりょく) (capability)

Compare: 力量(りきりょう) (capacity, competence)

general

Added 2026.1.19 22:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

07000/07466_shuwan