Skill Check

In this Topic we're going to learn about the phrases のが下手(へた) and のが上手(じょうず). These phrases are used to talk about being good or bad at certain things. We will also discuss some other related vocabulary.

このトピックに出てくる文法

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のがへた
To be bad at, Poor at, Unskillful
～のが下手(へた) is a phrase that behaves in almost exactly the same way as ～のが上手(じょうず), but rather than meaning 'to be good at (A)', it means 'to be bad at (A)', (which is a much more handy expression, if you are like me!). This particular expression is used with the plain (dictionary) form of verbs only.
In these examples, we can see that there is no difference between Ichidan verbs and Godan verbs. Both will appear in their plain form. In this expression, のが is performing the same function as in the regular のは, and のが constructions. This function is nominalization (turning a phrase into a noun).
Caution

If you want to express that you were bad at something (in the past), the verb will still remain in the plain form, but 下手(へた) will change to the past tense.
N5 文法
のがじょうず
To be good at, Proficient
～のが上手(じょうず) is a phrase that behaves in almost exactly the same way as ～のが好(す)き, but rather than meaning 'to like' something, it means 'to be good at' something. This particular expression is used with the plain (dictionary) form of verbs only.
In these examples, we can see that there is no difference between Ichidan verbs and Godan verbs. Both will appear in their plain form. In this expression, のが is performing the same function as in the regular のは・のが construction. This function is nominalization (turning a phrase into a noun).
Caution

If you want to express that you were good at something (in the past), the verb will still remain in the plain form, but 上手(じょうず) will change to the past tense.
Caution

This grammar point can sound a little bit arrogant if you are referring to your own skills, so the word 得意(とくい) may also be used if you want to sound a bit more humble.
N5 文法

詳細

Let's compare the way 下手(へた) and 上手(じょうず) are used with some related words.

Actually, I'm Pretty Good At This

To make things a bit more complicated, it is actually not normal to use 上手(じょうず) to refer to your own ability in Japanese. It implies being particularly skilled or good at something, so can come across as arrogant or even childish. Instead, people often refer to their own abilities as 得意(とくい), which holds the nuance of being proud at being strong in that specific skill. It sounds less objective and, thus, less arrogant.

There is also the word 上手(うま)い (written with the same kanji as 上手(じょうず) and not to be confused with うまい meaning 'tasty'). This is very similar to 上手(じょうず), although it is normally used in casual and conversational language in a spontaneous way, so has a slightly stronger, 'real' nuance.

Similar to the relationship between 上手(じょうず) and 得意(とくい), people will also often use the word 苦手(にがて) to imply they aren't suited to certain skills, rather than saying 下手(へた), which strongly suggests being objectively bad at something.