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A2 adjective 11 min de lectura

苦手

nigate

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 苦手 en 30 segundos

Explicación 苦手 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'nigate' as a simple way to say you are 'not good' at something. It is a 'na-adjective,' so you use it like 'nigate desu.' You can use it for school subjects like 'suugaku' (math) or for simple actions like 'ryouri' (cooking). At this stage, don't worry too much about the deep emotional meaning; just use it when you want to say something is difficult for you. For example, 'Kanji ga nigate desu' (I am bad at kanji). This is a very useful phrase for a beginner because it explains why you might be struggling without needing complex grammar. Remember to use the particle 'ga' (が) before 'nigate.' It is one of the most common words you will use to talk about yourself to new Japanese friends.

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At the A2 level, you start to see the difference between 'nigate' and 'heta.' You should use 'nigate' when you want to be polite. For example, if someone asks if you like spicy food and you don't, you can say 'Karai mono wa chotto nigate desu.' This sounds much softer and more natural than saying 'Kirai desu' (I hate it). You also learn to use 'nigate' with nouns by adding 'na,' like 'nigate-na kamoku' (a subject I'm bad at). You are expected to use it in basic self-introductions to describe your hobbies or things you find challenging. It's a key word for social survival in Japan because it helps you decline things politely.

By B1, you should understand that 'nigate' often implies a psychological barrier. It's not just that you lack skill; it's that the activity makes you feel uncomfortable or stressed. You can use it to describe social situations, such as 'hitomae de hanasu no ga nigate' (being bad at public speaking). At this level, you should also be aware of how to use it to describe people you find 'difficult' to deal with ('nigate-na hito'), though you should use this carefully. You'll start to encounter 'nigate' in more complex sentence structures, such as using it as a reason for something else: 'Nigate na node, tetsudatte kuremasen ka?' (Since I'm bad at this, could you help me?).

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At the B2 level, you can use 'nigate' to discuss more abstract concepts and personality traits. You might use it in a job interview to discuss 'weaknesses' in a professional way that shows self-awareness. You should be able to contrast 'nigate' with 'tokui' (one's forte) fluently. You will also notice how 'nigate' is used in literature or media to describe a character's inner conflict or social anxieties. You should understand the nuance of using 'nigate' to 'read the air'—knowing when to use it to soften a refusal or an admission of failure. You can handle variations like 'nigate-ishiki' (a sense of inadequacy or a 'mental block' against something).

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At the C1 level, you are exploring the subtle social engineering that 'nigate' allows. You use it to navigate complex office politics or delicate social relationships. You understand that 'nigate' can be a form of 'enryo' (restraint) or 'kenjou' (humility). You can analyze why a speaker chose 'nigate' over 'futokui' or 'heta' in a specific text, noting the emotional weight it carries. You are comfortable using it in nuanced phrases like 'nigate na bunya' (an area outside one's expertise) or discussing the cultural phenomenon of 'nigate-ishiki' in the Japanese education system. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker in terms of timing and social appropriateness.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete grasp of the historical and cultural roots of 'nigate.' You can discuss how the concept of 'bitter hand' (the literal kanji) reflects Japanese views on the body and skill. You can use the word in high-level academic or literary discussions, perhaps critiquing how 'nigate' is used in social discourse to mask genuine dislikes or to maintain a certain persona. You understand its role in the 'omote/ura' (public/private) dynamics of Japanese communication. You can use it with absolute precision in any register, from the most formal business apology to the most casual slang, understanding every layer of meaning it conveys to a native ear.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

苦手 en 30 segundos

Nigate is a na-adjective meaning 'poor at' or 'weak point,' covering both skill and personal dislike.
It is more polite than saying 'kirai' (dislike) when refusing food or activities.
Grammatically, it uses the particle 'ga' (e.g., suugaku ga nigate) and requires 'na' before nouns.
Unlike 'heta,' which is purely about skill, 'nigate' implies a psychological or emotional struggle.

The Japanese word 苦手 (nigate) is an essential na-adjective that every learner must master to navigate social interactions in Japan effectively. While many textbooks provide a simple translation like 'poor at' or 'weak at,' the actual usage of nigate is far more nuanced and culturally significant. It describes a situation where an individual feels a sense of inadequacy, discomfort, or psychological aversion toward a specific activity, subject, or even a type of person. Unlike the word heta (下手), which focuses purely on a lack of technical skill, nigate incorporates your emotional state. It suggests that the thing in question is a 'bitter hand'—a literal translation of the kanji 苦 (bitter) and 手 (hand)—meaning it is something you find difficult to handle or stomach.

Skill vs. Sentiment: Nigate is used when you aren't good at something and you also don't particularly enjoy doing it. For example, if you are bad at singing but love karaoke, you might use 'heta,' but if the very idea of singing makes you nervous, 'nigate' is the correct choice.
Social Buffer: In Japanese culture, directness can sometimes be perceived as rude. Saying you 'hate' a certain food (kirai) can sound harsh. By saying the food is 'nigate,' you are politely explaining that it simply doesn't agree with you, placing the 'fault' on yourself rather than the food.

私は数学が苦手です。 (I am poor at/uncomfortable with mathematics.)

A common way to express academic struggles with a hint of personal dislike.

You will hear this word in classrooms, offices, and dinner tables. It is the go-to expression for declining an invitation to an activity you aren't good at or for explaining why you are leaving the natto untouched on your plate. It functions as a psychological shield, allowing the speaker to maintain harmony while setting personal boundaries. Because it covers both ability and preference, it is incredibly versatile. You can be nigate at sports, nigate at waking up early, or even nigate at dealing with talkative people. It describes a mismatch between the person and the object or task.

辛い食べ物は少し苦手なんです。 (I'm not very good with spicy food.)

Context: Food: When used with food, it translates more to 'I don't like this' or 'I can't eat this' than 'I am bad at this.' It is the most polite way to refuse a dish.

Furthermore, nigate is often paired with the particle 'ga' (が). The structure is usually [Subject] wa [Thing] ga nigate desu. This highlights the 'thing' as the source of the difficulty. Understanding this word helps you understand the Japanese concept of avoiding 'suki/kirai' (like/hate) binaries in favor of more soft-edged descriptions of one's capabilities and inclinations. It is a word that bridges the gap between skill and personality.

Using 苦手 (nigate) correctly requires understanding its grammatical classification as a na-adjective. This means that when it modifies a noun directly, you must add 'na' between nigate and the noun. For example, 'a subject I am bad at' becomes 'nigate-na kamoku.' In most conversational contexts, however, it appears at the end of a sentence or followed by a copula like 'desu' or 'da.'

The Basic Pattern: [Person] wa [Object/Activity] ga nigate desu. This is the standard way to say 'I am bad at X.' The particle 'ga' is crucial here as it marks the object of your weakness.

彼は人付き合いが苦手なタイプだ。 (He is the type who is bad at socializing.)

One common area of confusion for English speakers is the distinction between nigate and heta. If you want to describe a technical lack of skill, such as being bad at playing the piano despite practicing every day, heta is appropriate. But if the piano makes you anxious or you simply have no talent for it and find it a chore, nigate is better. Nigate often implies a psychological barrier. For instance, 'kanji ga nigate' suggests that kanji is a struggle that you perhaps find overwhelming or frustrating, not just that you haven't memorized them yet.

When describing other people, be careful. Calling someone 'nigate' to their face can be slightly offensive unless you are close friends, as it points out a weakness. However, describing someone as a 'nigate-na hito' (a person I find hard to deal with) is a very common way to describe a personality clash. In this context, it doesn't mean the other person is 'bad' at being a person; it means you find them difficult to interact with.

朝早く起きるのが苦手です。 (I am not good at waking up early.)

Modifying Verbs: To say you are bad at 'doing' something, use the dictionary form of the verb + 'no' or 'koto' before 'ga nigate.' For example: 'oyogu no ga nigate' (bad at swimming).

In summary, use nigate to express a mix of low proficiency and low preference. It is the most natural word for personal weaknesses that affect your comfort level. Whether you are talking about school subjects, physical activities, or social situations, nigate provides a soft, self-effacing way to communicate your limits.

The word 苦手 (nigate) is omnipresent in Japanese daily life, appearing in everything from casual conversations to professional self-evaluations. You will hear it most frequently in situations involving food, hobbies, and social obligations. In Japan, the culture of 'reading the air' (kuuki wo yomu) means that people often look for polite ways to say 'no' or 'I can't.' Nigate is the perfect tool for this.

At the Dinner Table: If a host offers you a dish you dislike, saying 'kirai' (dislike) is too strong. Instead, you'll hear: 'Sumimasen, kore nigate nan desu...' (Sorry, I'm not good with this...). This implies a personal physical or taste-based inability rather than a judgment on the chef's skill.

「お酒は飲めますか？」「いえ、実はちょっと苦手で...」 (Can you drink alcohol? No, actually, I'm not very good with it...)

In a business setting, nigate is used during self-introductions or performance reviews. A Japanese employee might say, 'I am nigate at public speaking' (hitomae de hanasu no ga nigate desu). This admission of a weak point is seen as honest and humble. It signals to the team where the individual might need support. It is much more common to hear someone admit a weakness using nigate than to hear them boast about a strength using 'tokui' (one's forte).

You will also encounter nigate in romantic or social contexts when discussing 'types.' Someone might say, 'I am nigate with loud people' (koe ga ookii hito wa nigate desu). Here, it doesn't mean they are bad at being around them, but rather that such people overwhelm or stress them out. It functions as a way to describe one's 'allergies'—not just biological ones, but social and psychological ones as well.

パソコンの操作が苦手な方はこちらへ。 (For those who are not good at operating computers, please come this way.)

Instructional Contexts: Signs and manuals often use nigate to identify target audiences who might struggle with a task, offering them a more simplified path or extra assistance.

Finally, in school, students frequently use nigate to group themselves. 'Nigate-kamoku' (weak subjects) is a standard term on report cards and in study guides. It helps students focus their energy on areas where they lack both confidence and competence. In every corner of Japanese society, nigate serves as a crucial label for the things that challenge our comfort zones.

While 苦手 (nigate) is a versatile word, English speakers often fall into several traps when using it. The most frequent mistake is confusing it with heta (下手). While both translate to 'bad at,' they are not interchangeable. Heta is objective and technical. Nigate is subjective and emotional. If you say 'I am heta at sushi,' it sounds like you are bad at making it. If you say 'I am nigate at sushi,' it means you don't like eating it or it makes you feel sick.

Mistake 1: The 'Heta' Confusion: Don't use nigate if you actually enjoy the activity but just lack skill. If you love playing soccer but aren't good, say 'heta dakedo suki' (I'm bad but I like it). Saying 'nigate' implies you'd rather not play.

✕ 私はピアノが苦手ですが、大好きです。
✓ 私はピアノが下手ですが、大好きです。

'Nigate' and 'Daisuki' (love) often contradict each other.

Another common error involves the particle choice. Many learners try to use 'wo' (を) because they think of 'nigate' as a verb (to fail at). However, nigate is an adjective and requires the particle 'ga' (が) to mark the object. Saying 'suugaku wo nigate' is grammatically incorrect. Always remember: [Thing] GA nigate.

Learners also struggle with the 'na' adjective rules. When using nigate to describe a noun, you must include 'na.' For example, 'nigate-na hito' (a person I'm not good with) or 'nigate-na tabemono' (food I'm not good with). Omitting the 'na' makes the phrase 'nigate tabemono,' which sounds like 'weakness food'—a broken and confusing phrase.

✕ これは苦手科目です。
✓ これは苦手な科目です。

Overusing for Humility: While humility is good, using nigate for things you are actually quite good at can come across as 'gyaku-jiman' (backhanded bragging) or simply confusing to listeners who see your high performance.

Lastly, remember that nigate is not for permanent physical disabilities. You wouldn't use nigate to say you have poor eyesight or hearing; those require specific medical terms. Nigate is for skills, tastes, and social interactions where there is a psychological or experiential component to the difficulty. By avoiding these pitfalls, your Japanese will sound much more natural and empathetic.

To truly master 苦手 (nigate), you must understand its neighbors in the Japanese vocabulary. Depending on the context—whether you're talking about skill, preference, or social friction—another word might be more appropriate. Knowing these alternatives allows you to fine-tune your message and avoid repetitive language.

下手 (Heta): Focuses purely on lack of skill. Use this for things like drawing, sports, or languages where you are a beginner or simply uncoordinated, but you don't necessarily 'dislike' the activity.
不得意 (Futokui): The direct antonym of 'tokui' (one's forte). It is slightly more formal and clinical than nigate. It describes a lack of proficiency without the strong 'emotional aversion' that nigate implies.

私は運動が不得意です。 (I am not proficient at sports.)

This sounds more like a factual statement about one's abilities than a personal dislike.

When it comes to food or things you dislike, the obvious alternative is kirai (嫌い). However, as mentioned, kirai is very direct and can be seen as childish. Adults almost always prefer 'nigate' when declining food. If you find something truly repulsive, you might use 'daikirai' (hate), but use it sparingly! For people you don't get along with, you might say 'shoubun ni awanai' (it doesn't suit my nature) as a more sophisticated alternative to 'nigate.'

In a professional context, you might use 'jakuten' (弱点), which literally means 'weak point.' This is used for strategic weaknesses, such as a company's weak point in the market or a character's weakness in a story. It is a noun, not an adjective. Another related term is 'kyate' (苦手), though this is just a different reading/slangy variation occasionally used in specific subcultures, stick to 'nigate' for standard use.

彼は細かい作業が下手だ。 (He is clumsy at detailed work.)

Comparison Table Summary

Nigate: Bad at + Dislike/Uncomfortable (Subjective)
Heta: Bad at (Objective/Skill)
Futokui: Not my forte (Formal/Neutral)
Kirai: Dislike (Direct/Can be rude)

By choosing the right word from this set, you can express exactly how you feel about your own abilities and preferences without causing misunderstanding or social friction. Nigate remains the most useful 'all-rounder' for polite daily communication.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The use of 'hand' (手) in Japanese often refers to skills or types of people (e.g., Jouzu/Heta). Nigate implies that your 'hand' finds the object 'bitter' or unpleasant to hold.

Guía de pronunciación

UK ni.ɡa.te

US ni.ɡɑ.teɪ

Japanese is pitch-accented. In 'nigate', the pitch starts low on 'ni' and rises on 'ga', then stays relatively flat or drops slightly on 'te' (L-H-H or L-H-L depending on dialect).

Rima con

Kite (as in Japanese 'shite') Mate (as in Japanese 'matte') Date (as in Japanese 'date') Sate Hate (Japanese 'hate') Ate (Japanese 'ate') Kante Sante

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'ni' like 'night'. It should be 'nee'.
Over-stressing the 'ga' like 'GAY'. It should be a soft 'gah'.
Pronouncing 'te' like 'tea'. It should be 'teh' (as in 'test').
Adding a stress accent on one syllable. Japanese syllables should have equal length.
Confusing the 'g' with a nasal 'ng' sound (though this occurs in some dialects, 'g' is safer for learners).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

The kanji are common but the 'ni' reading for 苦 is specific to this word and 'nigai'.

Escritura 3/5

Writing 苦 and 手 is relatively simple for A2 learners.

Expresión oral 1/5

Pronunciation is very straightforward with no difficult sounds.

Escucha 1/5

Very common word, easily recognized in conversation.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

下手 (heta) 上手 (jouzu) 好き (suki) 嫌い (kirai) 手 (te)

Aprende después

得意 (tokui) 不得意 (futokui) 意識 (ishiki) 克服 (kokufuku) 分野 (bunya)

Avanzado

嫌悪感 (ken'okan) 回避 (kaihi) 謙遜 (kenson) 劣等感 (rettoukan) 適性 (tekisei)

Gramática que debes saber

Na-adjective conjugation

苦手だ (Plain), 苦手です (Polite), 苦手ではない (Negative).

Particle 'Ga' with adjectives of ability/feeling

私は英語が苦手です。

Nominalizing verbs with 'no' or 'koto'

泳ぐのが苦手です。

Modifying nouns with 'na'

苦手な食べ物を避ける。

Using 'node' for reasons

苦手なので、やりたくないです。

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Ejemplos por nivel

私は数学が苦手です。

I am bad at math.

Uses [Subject] wa [Object] ga nigate desu pattern.

漢字が少し苦手です。

I am a little bad at kanji.

'Sukoshi' (a little) is used to soften the statement.

料理は苦手ですか？

Are you bad at cooking?

A simple question using the copula 'desu ka'.

私はスポーツが苦手です。

I am bad at sports.

Standard na-adjective usage.

英語が苦手な学生です。

He is a student who is bad at English.

Uses 'nigate-na' to modify the noun 'gakusei'.

納豆は苦手です。

I am not good with natto (I don't like it).

In the context of food, it means 'dislike' or 'can't eat'.

歌うのが苦手です。

I am bad at singing.

Uses 'u-tau no' (nominalized verb) + 'ga nigate'.

朝は苦手です。

I am not a morning person.

Abstract usage referring to a time of day.

辛い食べ物は苦手なんです。

The thing is, I'm not good with spicy food.

'~nan desu' adds an explanatory nuance.

これは私の苦手な食べ物です。

This is a food that I am not good with.

Attributive use: 'nigate-na' + noun.

泳ぐのが苦手なので、海には行きません。

Since I'm bad at swimming, I don't go to the sea.

'~node' connects the reason to the result.

人前で話すのがとても苦手です。

I am very bad at speaking in front of people.

'Hitomae de hanasu no' is the nominalized phrase.

彼は片付けが苦手なようです。

It seems like he is bad at tidying up.

'~you desu' means 'it seems like'.

苦手な科目を勉強します。

I will study the subjects I am bad at.

Modifying the noun 'kamoku'.

お酒は苦手ですか？

Are you not good with alcohol?

A polite way to ask about drinking preferences.

寒いのは苦手です。

I can't stand the cold.

'Samui no' turns the adjective into a noun.

彼女は細かい作業が苦手だと言っていた。

She was saying that she is bad at detailed work.

Indirect quote using '~to itte ita'.

どうしてもこのタイプの人が苦手なんです。

I just can't deal with this type of person.

'Doushitemo' emphasizes the feeling of inability.

苦手意識を克服したいと思っています。

I want to overcome my sense of inadequacy.

'Nigate-ishiki' is a compound noun meaning 'mental block'.

電話で話すのが苦手な若者が増えているそうです。

I heard that the number of young people who are bad at talking on the phone is increasing.

'~sou desu' indicates hearsay.

彼は自分に苦手なことがあるのを認めようとしない。

He won't try to admit that there are things he is bad at.

Relative clause: 'jibun ni nigate-na koto ga aru'.

パソコンの操作が苦手な方でも大丈夫です。

It's okay even for those who are not good at operating computers.

'~demo daijoubu' means 'it's okay even if...'.

私は早起きが苦手で、いつも遅刻しそうになる。

I'm bad at waking up early, so I'm always on the verge of being late.

Te-form of adjective used to connect sentences.

そんなに苦手なら、無理に食べなくてもいいですよ。

If you dislike it that much, you don't have to force yourself to eat it.

'~nara' (if) conditional.

彼は交渉事が苦手なため、営業職には向いていない。

Because he is bad at negotiations, he is not suited for a sales position.

'~tame' (because) is more formal than 'node'.

自分の苦手な分野を他人に任せるのも一つの戦略だ。

Delegating the areas you're bad at to others is also a strategy.

Complex subject: 'Jibun no nigate-na bunya wo tanin ni makaseru koto'.

初対面の人と話すことに苦手意識を持っています。

I have a mental block about talking to people I meet for the first time.

'~ni nigate-ishiki wo motsu' (to have a complex about...).

彼女は算数が苦手だったが、努力して克服した。

She was bad at arithmetic, but she overcame it through effort.

Past tense 'nigate datta'.

人混みが苦手なので、休日は家で過ごすことが多い。

Since I'm not good with crowds, I often spend my days off at home.

'Hitogomi' (crowds) is the object of 'nigate'.

その選手は左からの攻撃を苦手としているようだ。

That player seems to find attacks from the left difficult to handle.

'~wo nigate to shite iru' is a common idiomatic structure.

苦手な上司とうまく付き合う方法を教えてください。

Please tell me how to get along well with a boss I find difficult.

Nigate used to describe a person/relationship.

彼は数字に苦手意識があり、家計簿をつけるのも嫌がる。

He has a complex about numbers and dislikes even keeping a household account book.

'Suuji ni nigate-ishiki ga aru'.

組織の中での根回しのような、政治的な動きが極めて苦手だ。

I am extremely bad at political maneuvers like 'nemawashi' within an organization.

Use of 'kiwamete' (extremely) for emphasis.

彼は自分の感情を言葉にするのが苦手な、典型的な日本人の男性だ。

He is a typical Japanese man who is bad at putting his emotions into words.

Appositive structure: '...nigatena, tenkeiteki-na...'.

苦手なものを無理に克服しようとせず、得意なことを伸ばすべきだという考え方もある。

There is a viewpoint that instead of forcing yourself to overcome things you're bad at, you should develop your strengths.

Complex conditional and hortatory structure.

この作家の文体は、装飾が多すぎて私には少し苦手です。

This author's style is a bit much for me because it has too much ornamentation.

Using 'nigate' to express a sophisticated aesthetic preference.

彼女は論理的な思考は得意だが、共感を示すことが苦手な傾向にある。

She is good at logical thinking but tends to be poor at showing empathy.

'...keikou ni aru' (tends to...).

相手が苦手な話題を避けるのは、円滑なコミュニケーションの基本だ。

Avoiding topics that the other person is uncomfortable with is the basis of smooth communication.

Relative clause modifying 'wadai' (topic).

かつては英語が苦手だった彼が、今や通訳として活躍している。

He, who was once bad at English, is now active as an interpreter.

Contrast between past 'nigate datta' and present status.

苦手なタイプの人とでも、仕事であれば割り切って付き合わなければならない。

Even with people you find difficult, you must deal with them professionally if it's for work.

'Warikitte' (to separate feelings from duty).

日本人の美徳とされる謙遜が、時として「苦手」という言葉に集約されることがある。

The humility considered a Japanese virtue is sometimes epitomized in the word 'nigate'.

Passive voice 'shuuyaku sareru' (is summarized/concentrated).

彼は、形式的な儀礼や社交辞令を極端に苦手とする、孤高の芸術家である。

He is a solitary artist who is extremely averse to formal rituals and social pleasantries.

'...wo kyokutan ni nigate to suru' (to find X extremely difficult/averse).

「苦手」という表現の背後には、自己の能力不足を認めることで他者との衝突を回避する心理が働いている。

Behind the expression 'nigate' lies a psychology of avoiding conflict with others by admitting one's own lack of ability.

Complex psychological/sociological analysis.

彼は幼少期のトラウマから、閉鎖的な空間に対して強い苦手意識を抱いている。

Due to childhood trauma, he harbors a strong sense of aversion toward enclosed spaces.

'...ni taishite tsuyoi nigate-ishiki wo idaite iru' (harboring a strong complex toward...).

その政治家は、即興での質疑応答を苦手としており、常に周到な準備を欠かさない。

That politician is poor at impromptu Q&A and never fails to prepare thoroughly.

'...wo nigate to shite ori' (continuative form).

文化的な背景が異なれば、何をもって「苦手」とするかの基準も大きく変わってくる。

If cultural backgrounds differ, the standards for what is considered 'nigate' also change significantly.

Conditional 'ba' and 'nani wo motte... to suru' (what is defined as...).

彼は、他人の期待に応えられない自分を「苦手」という言葉で正当化しているに過ぎない。

He is merely justifying his inability to meet others' expectations with the word 'nigate'.

'...ni sugisai' (is nothing more than...).

現代社会において、コミュニケーションが苦手であることは、死活的な問題になりかねない。

In modern society, being poor at communication can potentially become a matter of life and death.

'...ni narikanenai' (could potentially become... used for negative outcomes).

Colocaciones comunes

数学が苦手

人前が苦手

食べ物が苦手

早起きが苦手

運動が苦手

パソコンが苦手

整理整頓が苦手

初対面が苦手

細かい作業が苦手

お酒が苦手

Frases Comunes

苦手なタイプ

— A type of person one finds difficult to deal with.

彼は私の苦手なタイプです。

苦手意識を持つ

— To have a complex or mental block about something.

英語に苦手意識を持たないで。

苦手科目を克服する

— To overcome a weak subject in school.

夏休みに苦手科目を克服した。

苦手なものはない

— To have no weak points or things one dislikes.

食べ物で苦手なものはありません。

苦手分野

— An area of expertise that one is weak in.

それは私の苦手分野です。

ちょっと苦手で...

— A polite way to decline something (leaving the sentence hanging).

すみません、それはちょっと苦手で...

苦手な人

— A person one doesn't get along with or find easy to talk to.

職場に苦手な人がいる。

苦手な場所

— A place that makes one feel uncomfortable (e.g., crowds).

高い所は苦手な場所だ。

苦手な味

— A taste that one doesn't like.

パクチーは苦手な味だ。

苦手な時期

— A time or season one finds difficult (e.g., humid summer).

梅雨は苦手な時期です。

Se confunde a menudo con

苦手 vs 下手 (heta)

Heta is objective skill (bad technique). Nigate is subjective (bad technique + dislike/discomfort).

苦手 vs 嫌い (kirai)

Kirai is purely 'dislike'. Nigate is 'not good at' or 'uncomfortable with', which is more polite.

苦手 vs 弱い (yowai)

Yowai means 'weak'. Used for alcohol or physical strength, while nigate is for skills and tastes.

Modismos y expresiones

"苦手に思う"

— To feel that something is a weak point or uncomfortable.

彼はその仕事を苦手に思っている。

Neutral

"苦手を突く"

— To attack or target someone's weak point.

相手の苦手を突く戦法だ。

Strategic

"苦手を作る"

— To develop a dislike or weakness for something.

子供に苦手を作らせない教育。

Educational

"苦手と言わず"

— Don't just say you're bad at it (try it anyway).

苦手と言わずにやってみて。

Encouraging

"苦手がなくなる"

— To no longer have a weakness or dislike.

練習して苦手がなくなった。

Neutral

"苦手をカバーする"

— To cover for or compensate for a weakness.

チームで互いの苦手をカバーする。

Business

"苦手に甘んじる"

— To be content with or give in to one's weaknesses.

苦手に甘んじてはいけない。

Formal

"苦手も好きのうち"

— Even being bad at something is a form of interest (rare variation of a proverb).

苦手も好きのうちと言うでしょう？

Literary

"苦手意識の塊"

— To be a 'bundle of complexes' or extremely insecure.

彼は苦手意識の塊だ。

Casual

"苦手を自認する"

— To acknowledge one's own weaknesses.

彼は歌が苦手だと自認している。

Formal

Fácil de confundir

苦手 vs 下手

Both translate as 'bad at'.

Heta is for skills you might actually like. Nigate implies you don't like it or it's a burden.

下手だけどテニスは好きです (I'm bad at tennis but I like it).

苦手 vs 不得意

Both mean 'not one's forte'.

Futokui is more formal and factual. Nigate is more emotional and personal.

不得意な分野を調査する (Research the areas I'm not proficient in).

苦手 vs 苦手意識

Related to nigate.

This is a noun meaning the 'feeling' or 'complex' of being bad at something.

数学に苦手意識がある (I have a mental block against math).

苦手 vs 不慣れ

Means not being good at something yet.

Funare means you are just 'unaccustomed' or new to it, not necessarily that it's a permanent weakness.

不慣れな仕事に戸惑う (Be confused by an unaccustomed job).

苦手 vs 苦手な人

Can be misunderstood as 'a person who is bad at things'.

It actually means 'a person *I* am bad at dealing with'.

彼は私の苦手な人だ (He is a person I find difficult to deal with).

Patrones de oraciones

[Noun] が苦手です。

数学が苦手です。

[Verb-dictionary] のが苦手です。

走るのが苦手です。

苦手な [Noun] です。

苦手な科目です。

[Noun] に苦手意識がある。

英語に苦手意識がある。

苦手なので、[Result]。

苦手なので、手伝ってください。

[Noun] を苦手としている。

彼は運動を苦手としている。

苦手な [Noun] とうまく付き合う。

苦手な上司とうまく付き合う。

[Noun] に対する強い苦手意識。

閉所に対する強い苦手意識。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

苦手意識 (nigate-ishiki) - sense of inadequacy

苦手科目 (nigate-kamoku) - weak subject

Verbos

苦手とする (nigate to suru) - to find difficult/be bad at

Adjetivos

苦手 (nigate) - poor at (na-adj)

Relacionado

下手 (heta)

不得意 (futokui)

弱点 (jakuten)

嫌い (kirai)

苦労 (kurou)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation, media, and education.

Errores comunes

Using 'wo' instead of 'ga' → 数学が苦手です。
Nigate is an adjective, not a verb. Adjectives of ability/feeling take 'ga'.
Using 'nigate' when you love the activity → テニスが下手ですが、好きです。
Nigate implies you don't like it. If you like it but are bad, use 'heta'.
Omitting 'na' before nouns → 苦手な食べ物
Nigate is a na-adjective, so 'na' is required for noun modification.
Using 'nigate' for physical pain → 足が痛いです。
Nigate is for skills/tastes. For physical pain, use 'itai'.
Calling a teacher 'nigate' to their face → N/A (Avoid this)
Calling someone 'nigate' means you find them difficult to be around. It's very rude to say directly.

Consejos

Polite Refusal

Use 'nigate' when you want to decline an invitation to do something you don't like. It's the most socially acceptable way to say no.

Particle Choice

Always pair 'nigate' with the particle 'ga'. It's a common mistake to use 'wo', but 'ga' is the correct marker for the object of the adjective.

Emotional Weight

Remember that 'nigate' implies you find the task stressful or unpleasant. If you're just a beginner but enjoy the challenge, use 'heta' instead.

Antonym

The opposite of 'nigate' is 'tokui'. Use 'tokui' to talk about your strengths and things you are confident in.

Noun Modification

Don't forget the 'na'! It's 'nigate-na kamoku', not 'nigate kamoku'. This is a very common beginner error.

Trailing Off

In Japan, people often just say 'Sore wa chotto nigate de...' and stop. The listener understands this as a polite refusal.

Humility

Even if you are good at something, saying you are 'nigate' can be a way to show humility, though don't overdo it or it sounds fake.

Pronunciation

Keep the syllables short and even. Japanese doesn't have the heavy stress accents that English does.

Self-Intro

Include one 'nigate' thing in your self-introduction. It makes you sound more human and approachable to Japanese speakers.

Focus

Identify your 'nigate-na' kanji and focus on them specifically. Using the word to label your own learning process is very helpful.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Nigate' as 'Knee-Gate'. You are so bad at the hurdle race that your KNEE hits the GATE. It's painful (bitter) and you are poor at it.

Asociación visual

Imagine holding a 'bitter' (苦) lemon in your 'hand' (手). You aren't good at eating it, and you don't like it. That is Nigate.

Word Web

Skill Dislike Math Food Socializing Anxiety Polite Refusal Weak Point

Desafío

Try to list three things you are 'nigate' at in Japanese today. Use 'ga nigate desu' for each.

Origen de la palabra

Composed of two kanji: 苦 (ku/nigai - bitter, painful) and 手 (te - hand, person, means).

Significado original: Literally 'bitter hand.' It originally referred to something that was hard to handle or 'bitter' to the touch/experience.

Sino-Japanese (Kango) roots, though used as a native-style adjective.

Contexto cultural

Avoid calling others 'nigate' to their face, as it points out their flaws. Use it primarily for yourself or to describe your own feelings about third parties.

English speakers often say 'I'm bad at this' or 'I don't like this' separately. Nigate combines them into one polite package.

Many anime characters have a 'nigate-na mono' (weakness), like Doraemon being nigate with mice. Variety shows often have segments called 'Nigate Kokufuku' (Overcoming Weaknesses). Self-help books in Japan often focus on 'Nigate-na hito' (Dealing with difficult people).

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

School/Education

苦手な科目は何ですか？
数学がどうしても苦手です。
苦手意識をなくしたい。
テストで苦手な問題が出た。

Dining/Food

お酒は苦手なんです。
苦手な食べ物はありますか？
パクチーはちょっと苦手で...
生魚が苦手な人もいます。

Socializing

人混みが苦手です。
初対面の人が苦手だ。
電話が苦手なタイプです。
彼みたいな人は苦手です。

Work/Career

交渉が苦手なのが弱点だ。
パソコン操作が苦手です。
人前で話すのが苦手で困る。
苦手な分野を任された。

Daily Life

早起きが苦手です。
細かい作業が苦手だ。
運動は昔から苦手です。
寒い時期は苦手です。

Inicios de conversación

"子供の頃、苦手な科目は何でしたか？ (What subject were you bad at as a child?)"

"食べ物で、どうしても苦手なものはありますか？ (Is there any food you just can't handle?)"

"人前で話すのは得意ですか、それとも苦手ですか？ (Are you good at public speaking, or bad at it?)"

"朝型ですか？それとも朝は苦手な方ですか？ (Are you a morning person, or are you bad with mornings?)"

"初めて会う人と話すのは苦手ですか？ (Are you bad at talking to people you meet for the first time?)"

Temas para diario

自分が苦手だと思っていることを三つ書き、その理由を説明してください。 (Write three things you think you are bad at and explain why.)

苦手なことを克服した経験について書いてください。 (Write about an experience where you overcame something you were bad at.)

「苦手な人」とどうやって付き合えばいいと思いますか？ (How do you think one should deal with 'difficult people'?)

日本語の勉強で、一番苦手な部分は何ですか？ (What is the part of Japanese study you are worst at?)

もし苦手なことがすべて得意になったら、人生はどう変わりますか？ (If everything you are bad at became things you are good at, how would your life change?)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, but be careful. Saying 'Kare wa nigate desu' means 'I find him difficult to deal with,' not 'He is bad at things.' To say he is bad at a skill, use 'Kare wa [skill] ga nigate desu'.

Yes, significantly. 'Kirai' is a direct expression of hatred or dislike. 'Nigate' suggests a personal inability to handle something, which sounds humbler and softer in Japanese.

Heta is like saying 'I have no skill.' Nigate is like saying 'I have no skill and I'd rather not do it.' You can be 'heta' but 'suki' (like it), but you are rarely 'nigate' and 'suki'.

It is not a medical term, but people often use it for foods that don't agree with them. 'Gyuunyuu wa nigate desu' (I'm not good with milk) can imply a mild intolerance or just a dislike.

You can say 'Nihongo ga nigate desu.' However, 'Nihongo ga mada heta desu' is also common. Using 'nigate' might imply you find the language itself frustrating or difficult to handle.

Yes, very common. 'Undou ga nigate' means you aren't athletic and probably didn't enjoy PE class.

It is a na-adjective. This means it behaves like a noun in some ways but requires 'na' to modify other nouns and 'desu/da' to end sentences.

It's a 'nigate complex.' It refers to the psychological barrier or trauma that makes you believe you are bad at something, even if you might not be.

Yes! 'Asa ga nigate' or 'Hayatoki ga nigate' is the standard way to say you are not a morning person.

Present: nigate desu. Negative: nigate ja nai. Past: nigate datta. Past Negative: nigate ja nakatta.

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