How to say "craftsman" in Japanese

• 職人しょくにんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers 'craftsman' in its general sense: a person trained in a manual trade or craft who works with skill and pride in the work itself. Typical of sushi chefs, potters, and other tradespeople.
  私はその職人しょくにんがとても腕うでがよいと分わかった。↗

  I found the workman very good.
• 匠たくみCommon
  nounAlso translates 'craftsman', but suggests masterful, refined artisanship; the glosses add 'carpenter', so in some contexts it specifically denotes a master carpenter. Best when emphasizing exceptional craftsmanship.

Use 職人 for a skilled manual worker or artisan in any trade; 匠 also means a master craftsman, with a nuance of refined skill, and can additionally refer to a carpenter.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 職人しょくにんcraftsman
• 匠たくみcraftsman
• 名工めいこうcraftsman
• クラフトマンcraftsman
• 細工師さいくしcraftsman
• 工芸家こうげいかcraftsman
• 工人こうじんworkman
• 手工業者しゅこうぎょうしゃhandicraftsman
• 親方おやかたcraftsman
• 技工ぎこうcraftsman
• 職工しょっこうcraftsman