1.
efficient, skillful, deft, adroit
Describes someone who handles tasks smoothly and efficiently, getting things done quickly and well.
手際のいい仕事ぶりだ。
That's efficient work.
あの店員は手際がいいので、注文がすぐ出てくる。
That clerk is efficient, so orders come out quickly.
手際よく料理を作る姿に感心した。
I was impressed by how deftly she prepared the meal.
PATTERNS:
- 手際がいい: to be skillful/efficient (predicate)
- 手際のいい + noun: skillful/efficient ~ (modifier)
- 手際よく + verb: skillfully, efficiently (adverbial)
- 手際が悪い: to be clumsy, inefficient (opposite)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 手際のいい仕事: efficient work
- 手際よく片付ける: to tidy up efficiently
- 手際よく進める: to proceed efficiently
USAGE: 手際 (literally 'hand situation') refers to the skill and efficiency with which someone handles tasks. It is most often used in positive constructions (手際がいい), but 手際が悪い (clumsy, slow) is also common.