器用|きようkiyou[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. na-adjective, nounskillful; skilful; adroit; dexterous; dextrous; deft; nimble; handy
   マックスは手先てさきが器用きようだ。↗

   Max is clever with his fingers.
2. na-adjective, nounclever; shrewd; ingenious

• Synonym巧みたくみWrittenMasterful in technique or craft, as in 「巧みな話術」; leans written and modifies skills or tactics, while 「器用」 stresses deft hands and versatility.
• Synonym巧妙こうみょうWrittenIngenious and elaborate in design or method, as in 「巧妙な仕掛け」; it can praise or criticize, evaluating methods and designs, while 「器用」 evaluates a person's handiwork.
• Synonym上手じょうずNeutralThe most common word: good at a particular thing, as in 「料理が上手」; 「器用」 stresses deft hands and coping with all sorts of tasks, not one skill.
• RelatedうまいCasualColloquial for doing something well or cleverly, and also for tasty food; more casual than 「上手」. 「器用」 stresses deftness, not how well the result turns out.
• Related得手えてWrittenA written word for one's forte or strong suit, as in 「得手不得手」; it names what someone is good at, while 「器用」 describes a deft, nimble manner.
• Related腕利きうでききNeutralA highly skilled, capable person, as in 「腕利きの職人」; it highlights outstanding ability, while 「器用」 only says someone is deft and nimble.
• Related腕っこきうでっこきCasualA colloquial term for a capable, able person; more casual than 「腕利き」, which is preferred in writing and formal settings.
• Related至妙しみょうWrittenA written word for something extraordinarily exquisite and unrivaled; rare in modern use. For everyday deftness say 「器用」, for high skill 「巧み」.
• Antonym不器用ぶきようNeutralThe antonym: clumsy at fine work, and by extension socially awkward or inflexible; it contrasts with both senses of 「器用」.

Default to 「器用」 for deft hands and versatility. Use 「上手」 (casually 「上手い」) for being good at one thing, 「巧み」 for masterful technique, 「巧妙」 for ingenious methods or designs, 「得手」 for one's forte, and 「腕利き」 or casual 「腕っこき」 for capable people. 「至妙」 is rare literary; the antonym is 「不器用」.

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

1. 細こまかい作業さぎょうなどを上手うまく熟じゅくす様子ようす。
2. 要領ようりょうよく立ち回たちまわれること。