How to say "ingenious" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 巧妙こうみょうna-adjective, nounCovers 'ingenious' for cleverly contrived things — a plan, trick, method, or device — rather than a person's ability; it often suggests subtlety, as of a trick or deception skillfully worked out.
- 巧みたくみna-adjectiveMatched to 'ingenious' through its skillful side: it highlights adroitness and mastery in a person or performance rather than inventiveness, fitting when the ingenuity lies in how deftly something is done.
- 器用きようna-adjective, nounDescribes a person dexterous with their hands or adroit in handling things; as a rendering of 'ingenious' it is marginal — use it when the cleverness shows as dexterity rather than as an ingenious design.
Choose 巧妙 for an ingenious plan, trick, or device; 「巧み」 for ingenuity in execution or performance; and 器用 for a person's dexterity, which is only a marginal rendering of 'ingenious'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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