How to say "capable" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 有能ゆうのうna-adjective, nounThe common, all-purpose word for a capable, competent person; it covers 'capable' in its most general sense of having ability, as when praising an employee or colleague for getting things done well.
- 有為ゆういna-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers 'capable' with an eye to the future: a talented, promising person rather than one whose competence is already proven. It is less common, and seldom the word you want for plain 'capable'.
- 腕こきうでこきno-adjective, na-adjectiveA noun for a capable, competent person — an able hand. It is less common, and for 'capable' you will almost always want 有能 instead.
- 腕っこきうでっこきno-adjective, na-adjectiveLike 腕こき, a noun for a capable, competent person — an able hand. It is less common and only a marginal way to say 'capable'; 有能 is the word you will normally want.
- 腕がいいうでがいいexpression, i-adjective (よい/いい)A phrase meaning that someone's skill is good: use it for 'capable' only in the sense of being skilled at a particular craft or task, not for a person's overall competence.
Use 有能 for a generally capable, competent person, 有為 for someone talented and promising, 「腕こき」 and 「腕っこき」 are less common nouns for an able hand, and 「腕がいい」 means skilled at what one does.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
