How to Say ‘Specific; concrete’ in Japanese
具体的
gutai teki
[goo-tie teki]
💬 Usage Tip: [具体的] is the magic word for “be specific.” You’ll hear it a lot in interviews and meetings.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese interview style often expects clear facts and examples, not only abstract strengths.
Phrase Breakdown
具体
gutai
[goo-tie]
concrete; specific
Noun/na-adjective meaning “specific” or “concrete.” In interviews, you’re often asked to speak concretely about strengths/weaknesses.
具体に話すと説得力が出ます。
If you speak specifically, it becomes more persuasive.
的
teki
[teki]
"-like"; "-al"; "-ic" (suffix)
Suffix that makes a word more adjective-like (e.g., “specific”). Often attached to Sino-Japanese words.
的な表現は避けて話します。
I avoid vague “-ish” expressions and speak clearly.
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