How to say "aptitude" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 適性てきせいnounThe natural choice when the question is whether someone is suited to a particular job, field or activity: aptitude as fitness for a role, as in an aptitude test.
- 素質そしつnounAptitude as inborn makings: the natural qualities that give someone the potential to develop into something, as in saying a child has the makings of a fine musician.
- 適否てきひnounThis is really a judgment of fitness or propriety — whether someone or something qualifies or is appropriate — and for aptitude as a person's talent it is seldom the word you want.
- 才さいnounAptitude in the sense of gift or talent: natural ability a person is born with, the word you reach for when praising someone's gift.
- 下地したじnounAptitude as an underlying foundation: a grounding in the basics or an inclination that lies beneath the surface, rather than talent itself.
Use 適性 for aptitude as suitability for a role, 素質 or 才 for natural gift or makings, 下地 for an underlying grounding or inclination, and avoid 適否, which judges fitness rather than talent.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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