<blockquote>
<p>善于 = good at (general)</p>
<p>擅长 = skilled in/ good at (specific)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Example:</p>
<p>善于交際 - good at socializing (O)</p>
<p>擅长交際 - skilled in socializing (O)</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>善于打网球 - good at playing tennis (O)</p>
<p>擅长打网球 - skilled in playing tennis (O)</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>善于反手削球 - good at backhand slice (X) (too specific)</p>
<p>擅长反手削球 - skilled in backhand slice (a specific tennis technique) (O)</p>
<p>A more detailed example:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>他擅长用斧頭在米粒上刻字 - He is good at lettering on rice grains with an axe</p>
<p>This skill is too specific to use 善于</p>
<p>善于用斧頭 or 善于刻字 would be fine.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T01:13:02.130Z
I think `擅長` can also used to describe like expertise in specific skills or academics
高鵬翔
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T01:17:33.963Z
That's right, 擅長  is for more specific skills or expertise. 善于 is  for more general term
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T04:16:31.700Z
Thank you for explaining this concept so clearly. This makes a lot of sense!
Nachotruck
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T00:59:36.120Z
2020-05-18T01:09:06.653Z
2020-06-17T09:50:11.587Z
Tang Ho
<blockquote>
  <p>What’s the difference between 善于 vs 擅长?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>They are the same.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I know they both mean “being good at” but can they be used
  interchangeably?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes. They can be used interchangeably.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I am good at being the director</p>
</blockquote>

<p>(我擅長做一個導演) (我善於做一個導演)</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>You are good at playing this game</p>
</blockquote>

<p>(你擅長玩這個遊戲) (你善於玩這個遊戲)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T00:58:08.453Z
2020-05-18T00:58:08.453Z
000
<p>What’s the difference between 善于 vs 擅长? I know they both mean “being good at” but can they be used interchangeably? When should you use one over the other and why?</p>

<p>For example, how should I say: “I am good at being the director” or “You are good at playing this game”.</p>

<p>Thanks </p>

<difference>
What’s the difference between 善于 vs 擅长
# What’s the difference between 善于 vs 擅长

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-18)

What’s the difference between 善于 vs 擅长? I know they both mean “being good at” but can they be used interchangeably? When should you use one over the other and why?

For example, how should I say: “I am good at being the director” or “You are good at playing this game”.

Thanks

**Tags:** difference


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-05-18. Score: 3

> 善于 = good at (general)
>
> 擅长 = skilled in/ good at (specific)

Example:

善于交際 - good at socializing (O)

擅长交際 - skilled in socializing (O)

~

善于打网球 - good at playing tennis (O)

擅长打网球 - skilled in playing tennis (O)

~

善于反手削球 - good at backhand slice (X) (too specific)

擅长反手削球 - skilled in backhand slice (a specific tennis technique) (O)

A more detailed example:

> 他擅长用斧頭在米粒上刻字 - He is good at lettering on rice grains with an axe
>
> This skill is too specific to use 善于
>
> 善于用斧頭 or 善于刻字 would be fine.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I think `擅長` can also used to describe like expertise in specific skills or academics  
> **username_1**: That's right, 擅長  is for more specific skills or expertise. 善于 is  for more general term  
> **username_0**: Thank you for explaining this concept so clearly. This makes a lot of sense!  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-05-18. Score: 0

> What’s the difference between 善于 vs 擅长?

They are the same.

> I know they both mean “being good at” but can they be used
> interchangeably?

Yes. They can be used interchangeably.

> I am good at being the director

(我擅長做一個導演) (我善於做一個導演)

> You are good at playing this game

(你擅長玩這個遊戲) (你善於玩這個遊戲)


---

