"下手" (heta) and "苦手" (nigate) の違い(difference)

"下手" (heta) and "苦手" (nigate) are two Japanese words that are often confused by English speakers, but they have distinct meanings.

 * "下手" (heta) means to be unskilled or poor at something. It refers to a lack of ability or proficiency in a particular task or skill. For example, "私はピアノが下手です。" (Watashi wa piano ga heta desu.) means "I am bad at playing the piano."

 * "苦手" (nigate) means to be weak at something or to dislike something. It often implies a feeling of aversion or discomfort, and it can also refer to a lack of confidence or experience. For example, "私は数学が苦手です。" (Watashi wa sugaku ga nigate desu.) means "I am weak in math" or "I don't like math."

In summary:

 * "下手" focuses on the ability or skill level.

 * "苦手" focuses on the feeling or attitude towards something.

Here's an example to illustrate the difference:

 * A person who is "下手" at playing the guitar may simply not have had enough practice.

 * A person who is "苦手" at public speaking may feel anxious or uncomfortable in front of a crowd, even if they have some skills in public speaking.