巧妙(こうみょう)

巧妙(こうみょう) describes cleverness that is often cunning or strategic, not always positive.

Word type

• Na-adjective
• Adverbial form: 巧妙(こうみょう)に

Writing

• 巧(こう) (skillful)
• 妙(みょう) (mysterious, strange, clever)

Usage

• Often implies cunning or craftiness
• Frequently used for deceptive or strategic schemes
• Can be neutral (skillful technique) or negative (devious)
• More literary/formal than 上手(じょうず)
• Crime reports (fraud, scams)
• Political maneuvering
• Strategic planning
• Literary descriptions

Common collocations

• 巧妙(こうみょう)な手口(てぐち) (clever trick/method)
• 巧妙(こうみょう)な手法(しゅほう) (ingenious technique)
• 巧妙(こうみょう)な罠(わな) (clever trap)
• 巧妙(こうみょう)に仕組(しく)む (cleverly devise)
• 巧妙(こうみょう)に隠(かく)す (cleverly hide)

Similar words

• 上手(じょうず) (skillful - neutral/positive)
• 器用(きよう) (dexterous, handy)
• 狡猾(こうかつ) (cunning - more negative)
• 巧(たく)み (skillful - more positive)

Register: Formal. Common in news reports and formal writing.