JLPT N0 Vocabulary – Difference between “秘訣” and ” コツ”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “秘訣” and “コツ”
2. 秘訣
3. コツ
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “秘訣” and “コツ” ?
A: Both “秘訣” and “コツ” refer to key points for success or improvement, but “コツ” refers to practical and everyday techniques or tips, while “秘訣” refers to special methods or important points that are not widely known.
秘訣 (JLPT N0)
[Meaning]
The most effective method, a special secret technique, or exclusive knowledge for achieving something.
[Examples]
彼女の美しさの秘訣は、バランスのいい食事と睡眠だそうです。
The secret to her beauty is a balanced diet and good sleep.
商談を成功させる秘訣を、先輩が教えてくれました。
My senior taught me the secret to successfully closing business deals.
“秘訣” refers to a method or knowledge that is not widely known and is considered special or unique.
It is often something that the creator has developed independently through experience or research.
[Examples]
このラーメンのおいしさの秘訣は、わたしが長年かけて作りました。他の誰にもまねはできないでしょう。
The secret to the deliciousness of this ramen is that I spent years perfecting it. No one else can imitate it.
⇒ This means that the ramen’s taste comes from a special method that no one else can replicate.
彼の日本語はすごく上手ですね。何か秘訣でもあるんでしょうか。
His Japanese is incredibly good. Does he have some kind of secret to it?
⇒ This implies that he possesses a special method or unique approach to mastering Japanese.
コツ (JLPT N0)
[Meaning]
Important points or techniques for successfully mastering something.
[Examples]
発音のコツを掴めば、もっと上手になるのにな…。
If you grasp the key points of pronunciation, you’ll become even better…
料理をおいしくするコツは、このだしなんです。
The secret to making delicious food is this dashi (soup stock).
“コツ” mainly refers to tips or techniques for improving skills in fields such as sports, studying, and music.
Compared to “秘訣” , it is less special and easier to learn and acquire.
[Examples]
A「全然、上手にピアノが弾けないの」
B「じゃあ、コツを教えてあげるよ。もっと指を広げると弾きやすくなるよ」
A「あ、本当だ！」
A: “I can’t play the piano well at all.”
B: “Then I’ll teach you a trick. If you spread your fingers more, it’ll be easier to play.”
A: “Oh, you’re right!”
⇒ The key point for playing the piano well is “spreading your fingers,” which is relatively easy to learn.
昨日まで上手くボールを蹴られなかったけど、コツがわかって蹴られるようになったよ。
Until yesterday, I couldn’t kick the ball properly, but after learning the trick, I can do it now.
⇒ Since this skill was acquired and improved in a short time, the appropriate term is “コツ”.
Let’s Compare
“秘訣” and “コツ” both refer to the key points for success or improvement, but their usage differs due to their specialty and ease of learning.
[Example]
◯ この料理の秘訣は、シェフが10年かけて開発した特製ソースにあります。
The secret to this dish lies in the special sauce the chef spent ten years developing.
× この料理のコツは、シェフが10年かけて開発した特製ソースにあります。
The trick to this dish lies in the special sauce the chef spent ten years developing.
“秘訣” refers to a special method or knowledge that others cannot easily imitate, so “秘訣” is appropriate in this case. On the other hand, “コツ” refers to everyday techniques or tips, which doesn’t fit this sentence.
Now, which would be more appropriate in the following cases?
[Example]
◯ 早く文章を読むコツを教えてください。
Please teach me the trick to reading text quickly.
× 早く文章を読む秘訣を教えてください。
Please teach me the secret to reading text quickly.
“コツ” refers to small, easy-to-apply techniques, so “reading trick” is a natural expression. On the other hand, “秘訣” implies something special and based on experience, so it may sound a bit exaggerated in this context.
Summary
[秘訣]
- “秘訣” refers to a special, little-known method or knowledge. It is especially used for unique approaches developed through personal experience or research.
[コツ]
- “コツ” is less exclusive than “秘訣” and refers to easily learnable tips or key points. It is commonly used in sports, studying, and music to describe techniques for skill improvement.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. コツ
この漢字の覚え方にはちょっとしたコツがあるんです。
This artwork is drawn using the unique technique of this artist.
*Since it’s a practical tip that can be easily learned, “コツ” is appropriate.
A. 秘訣
彼の肌がきれいな秘訣は、毎日の丁寧なスキンケアにあるそうです。
I did it the usual way, but today it didn’t go well.
*Since it refers to a special method that others don’t know, “秘訣” is the appropriate choice.
A. コツ
子供はすぐにコツがわかって、自転車に乗れるようになりました。
The child quickly grasped the trick and learned to ride a bicycle.
*Since it was acquired quickly, “コツ” is the right choice.
A. 秘訣
その料理の秘訣は、シェフだけが知っています。
The secret to this dish is known only by the chef.
*Since it is a special method known only to the chef, “秘訣” is the correct choice.
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