堪能(たんのう)

たんのう
noun / suru verb / na-adjective
to fully enjoy; proficient, skilled
1. to fully enjoy, to savor
To enjoy something thoroughly and to one's heart's content. Used as a suru verb.
京都(きょうと)の紅葉(こうよう)を堪能(たんのう)した。
I fully enjoyed the autumn foliage in Kyoto.
旬(しゅん)の魚介(ぎょかい)料理(りょうり)を堪能(たんのう)する。
To savor seasonal seafood dishes.
温泉(おんせん)に浸(つ)かり、地元(じもと)の食材(しょくざい)を使(つか)った料理(りょうり)を堪能(たんのう)して、最高(さいこう)の休日(きゅうじつ)を過(す)ごした。
I soaked in hot springs and savored dishes made with local ingredients — it was the best holiday.
2. proficient, skilled, fluent
Having a high level of skill or mastery in something, especially a language or an art. Used as a na-adjective.
彼女(かのじょ)は英語(えいご)に堪能(たんのう)だ。
She is proficient in English.
三(さん)か国語(こくご)に堪能(たんのう)な通訳者(つうやくしゃ)を探(さが)している。
We are looking for an interpreter fluent in three languages.
彼(かれ)は武道(ぶどう)に堪能(たんのう)で、剣道(けんどう)も柔道(じゅうどう)も有段者(ゆうだんしゃ)だ。
He is highly skilled in martial arts and holds dan rankings in both kendo and judo.

USAGE:
Sense 1 (to enjoy fully) is used as a suru verb: ～を堪能(たんのう)する. Very common in travel writing and food reviews. Sense 2 (proficient) is used as a na-adjective: ～に堪能(たんのう)だ. This sense is especially common when describing language ability.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ～を堪能(たんのう)する: to fully enjoy ~
  • 料理(りょうり)を堪能(たんのう)する: to savor a meal
  • 景色(けしき)を堪能(たんのう)する: to enjoy the scenery
  • ～に堪能(たんのう)だ: to be proficient in ~
  • 語学(ごがく)に堪能(たんのう): proficient in languages

ETYMOLOGY:
Originally two separate words that converged. Sense 1 derives from a Buddhist term meaning "to be satisfied." Sense 2 comes from 堪(た)える能(のう)（力(りょく)） meaning "ability to endure/perform."

general
Added 2026.2.20 13:37
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