Describing skills and abilities

 

Here are how to express skills and abilities in Japanese.

A wa B が + (Notice that the direct object  is marked with the particle “が”, not “を”. )	上手(じょうず)です	A is good at B.
	下手(へた)です	A is poor at B.
	得意(とくい)です	A is good at and likes B.
	苦手(にがて)です	A is poor at and dislikes B.
	できます　できる	A can do B

“上手”, “下手” ,“ 得意” , and “苦手” are な-adjectives.

頭が良くて、背が高くて、スポーツマンで、特にサッカーが上手です。　

Note 1: 上手 is never used to describe one’s own ability unless you are joking or being sarcastic.  However, sarcasm is rarely used.  If you want to say, I am good at something, use得意（とくい）.  But using the word 得意is often considered that you are bragging about your own ability. 

Note 2: 苦手 is often used in talking about food and drinks.

E.g.  A:苦手な食べ物はありますか。　B:　ええ、刺身が苦手です。

A: Do you have any food which you do not like to eat?  B: Yes.  I do not like raw fish