器用な
解説 Definition
手先や体の動きが器用で、巧みであること。また、知識や技術を巧妙に使いこなす能力を持つことを意味します。
Dexterous means skillful and quick in using your hands or body. It is often used for activities that need careful control, such as making, fixing, or performing something. It can also describe someone who handles difficult tasks cleverly.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
まず skillful の中でも「手・指・体の動きが巧み」という具体像で覚えると残りやすい語です。dexterous fingers, a dexterous movement のように、細かい作業や身のこなしのうまさで出やすい。単に smart というより、実際にすばやく正確に扱える感じ。反対は clumsy。名詞 dexterity、関連語 ambidextrous を見たら同じ語群だとまとめると記憶が固定されます。
Think of `dexterous` as a word for skillful hands and precise movement, not just general intelligence. It often goes with words like `fingers` or `movement`, so picture someone doing careful work quickly and well. You can connect it with `dexterity` and also contrast it with `clumsy`.
例文
The surgeon's dexterous hands enabled her to perform the delicate operation with precision.
その外科医の器用な手は、彼女が繊細な手術を正確に実施することを可能にした。
He was dexterous at solving complex mathematical problems quickly.
彼は複雑な数学の問題を素早く解くのに長けていた。
The magician's dexterous sleight of hand amazed the audience.
その奇術師の器用な手口は観客を驚かせた。
dexterous の類義語・関連語
dexterous の語源・成り立ち Etymology
dexterous はラテン語 dexter「右の、右手の；器用な」＋形容詞語尾 -ous から英語でできた語です。昔は右手が巧みさの象徴だったため、「右手のようにうまく扱える」から「器用な」という意味になりました。関連語は dexterity, ambidextrous。
Dexterous comes from Latin dexter, meaning "right" or "right-handed," and also "skillful." In older culture, the right hand was linked with ability and good control. That is why the word developed the sense of being skillful or clever with the hands. Related English words include dexterity and ambidextrous.
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