skillful / clever
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skillful
Able to carry something out with the hands or body in a dexterous and precise way; manually or physically talented.
Mit geschickten Händen faltete sie die winzigen Papierfiguren.
With skillful hands, she folded the tiny paper figures.
clever
Acting or phrased in a smart, clever, or tactically advantageous way in a social or strategic situation.
Durch eine geschickte Verhandlungsführung erzielte sie einen besseren Preis.
Through clever negotiation, she achieved a better price.
Although “geschickt” (skillful/clever) looks like the past participle of “schicken” (to send), its meaning has changed greatly. It derives from the older meaning “suitable” or “appropriate” and today no longer has anything to do with sending.
Der Handwerker war sehr geschickt und reparierte die Uhr schnell.
The craftsman was very skillful and repaired the clock quickly.
A distinction is made between physical and strategic skill. If it is about hands, crafts, or sports, physical skill is meant. If it is about questions, negotiations, or plans, cleverness is meant.
Der Chirurg braucht sehr geschickte Hände.
The surgeon needs very skillful hands.
In the sense of “klug” (smart/clever), “geschickt” is often used for strategic actions. Typical combinations are “ein geschickter Zug” (a clever move), “eine geschickte Taktik” (a clever tactic), or “eine geschickte Formulierung” (a clever wording).
Mit diesem geschickten Zug hat sie das Spiel für sich entschieden.
With this clever move, she decided the game in her favor.
“Geschickt” can also be used as an adverb to describe how an action is carried out. It then usually stands directly with the verb.
Er hat sich geschickt aus der unangenehmen Situation herausgeredet.
He cleverly talked his way out of the unpleasant situation.
clever / wise
Klug and geschickt can both give a positive assessment of a successful decision. Klug emphasizes that the decision is sensible and well thought out. Geschickt, on the other hand, emphasizes acting tactically and effectively in a specific social or strategic situation, or phrasing something appropriately.
In der wichtigen Verhandlung war es geschickt, zuerst einen kleinen Kompromiss anzubieten.
In the important negotiation, it was skillful to offer a small compromise first.
Es war klug, vor der wichtigen Verhandlung alle Kosten genau zu prüfen.
It was wise to check all the costs carefully before the important negotiation.
