Learn Japanese
Lesson 228: Nominalizing verbs using の + ability

We can turn a verb into a noun by adding the nominalizer particle の after the plain form of the verb. We can then use the verb in constructions where we normally would use a noun.

One thing this allows us to do, is to express that we are good at or bad at a certain activity. To say that we're good at something, we simply use a verb in the plain form + のが上じょう手ず. Similarly, if you don’t like something, you can use plain form + のが下へ手た.

We already knew how to say he is good at Japanese. Now we're also able to say he is good at speaking Japanese.