巧妙|こうみょうkoumyou[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, nouningenious; skillful; clever; deft; sophisticated
   あのピアニストは巧妙こうみょうでよく知しられている。↗

   That pianist is known for his skill.

• Synonym巧みたくみWrittenWritten/formal. Refers to skillful technique or craftiness, as in 「巧みな話術」; unlike 「巧妙」, it stresses deft technique rather than ingenious design.
• Synonym器用きようNeutralNeutral, common in speech. Means dexterous or good with one's hands, as in 「手先が器用」.
• SynonymうまいCasualColloquial. Broad word for doing something well or skillfully; also means tasty.
• Related堪能たんのうWrittenWritten/formal. Means deep proficiency in a field—languages, arts, crafts—as in 「英語に堪能」.
• Related老練ろうれんWrittenWritten/formal. Describes seasoned, polished skill; close in sense to 「老巧」.
• Related老巧ろうこうWrittenWritten/formal. Describes veteran skill born of long experience, as in 「老巧な手口」; close in sense to 「老練」.
• Related腕利きうでききCasualColloquial. Refers to a highly skilled person, as in 「腕利きの職人」; 「巧妙」 describes methods, not people.
• Related腕っこきうでっこきCasualColloquial. Refers to a capable, able person; 「巧妙」 describes methods or designs rather than people.
• Related熟練したじゅくれんしたWrittenWritten/formal phrase for being skilled through accumulated experience, as in 「熟練した職人」.
• Related得手えてWrittenWritten/formal. Refers to one's forte or strong point, as in 「得手不得手」.
• Related至妙しみょうWrittenWritten/formal and rare today. Means marvelously extraordinary; stronger praise than 「巧妙」.
• Related慣れたなれたCasualColloquial. Means practiced or familiar from doing something often; doesn't necessarily imply high skill.
• Antonym拙劣せつれつWrittenWritten/formal antonym meaning clumsy or poorly done; the direct opposite of 「巧妙」.

Use 「巧妙」 for ingenious methods or designs, as in 「巧妙な手口」「巧妙な仕掛け」. For deft technique pick 「巧み」, dexterity 「器用」, colloquial 'good at' 「上手い」, mastery 「堪能」, seasoned skill 「老練」; the antonym is 「拙劣」.

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

1. 巧たくみな、工夫くふうを施ほどこした。