Japanese word

堪能

Pronunciation

Romajitannō

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveproficient

Example

彼女は三か国語に堪能です。kano jo wa san ka koku go ni tan nō de su

She is proficient in three languages.

Illustration for 堪能 (proficient)

More examples

堪能な通訳が会議を支えます。tan nō na tsū yaku ga kai gi o sasa e ma su

A proficient interpreter will help at the meeting.

Core concept

Describes thorough command of a field, shown by the ability to use its knowledge or skills freely.

Common phrases

  • 英語に堪能ei go ni tan nō

    proficient in English

  • 外国語に堪能gai koku go ni tan nō

    proficient in foreign languages

Similar words

流暢ryūchō: Being able to use a language smoothly and naturally with a high level of skill.
達者tassha: Having a high level of skill in a language, subject, or activity.
得意tokui: Having strong ability in a particular subject or activity.
巧みtakumi: Showing a high level of skill in performing an activity or using knowledge.

Definition in Japanese

ある分野の知識や技能が十分にあり、自在に扱えるさま。a ru bun ya no chi shiki ya gi nō ga jū bun ni a ri ji zai ni atsuka e ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 堪能 (tannō) combines the written elements 堪 (tan, "to bear") and 能 (nō, "ability"); these glosses describe the characters, not a proven path to the modern sense "proficient".

Usage tips

  • For language ability, 堪能 (tannō) usually signals a high practical level, but it does not by itself claim that the speaker is a native speaker.

Other meanings

  • fluentna-adjective

Related words

  • 堪能さtannōsaproficiencynoun

Word lists with this word