下手

(3 entries)
へた
Alternative readings: ヘタ
JLPT:N5
Frequency:
1

Unskillful; poor at something — describes lack of skill or awkwardness in ability or performance.

Na-AdjectiveNoun

Examples

私は字が下手なので、手紙を書くのが苦手だ。

I'm bad at handwriting, so I'm not good at writing letters.

料理はまだ下手だけど、毎日練習している。

I'm still poor at cooking, but I practice every day.

彼は運転が下手で、よく縁石にぶつける。

He's a poor driver and often hits curbs.

下手な絵でも、自分で描くのは楽しい。

Even a bad drawing is fun to make yourself.

2

Imprudent; tactless — showing poor judgment or lack of tact, sometimes meaning clumsy in social behavior.

Na-AdjectiveNoun

Examples

彼の下手な言い方がかえって場を悪くした。

His tactless way of speaking made the situation worse.

下手な断り方をして相手を傷つけてしまった。

I turned someone down clumsily and ended up hurting them.

Word Relationships

Synonyms
Antonym