Inklingo

How to Say "ability" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “ability” is “habilidad” — use 'habilidad' for a general, often practical skill or talent that someone possesses, especially for everyday tasks or crafts. It's the most common and versatile translation for 'ability' or 'skill'..

habilidad🔊A1

Use 'habilidad' for a general, often practical skill or talent that someone possesses, especially for everyday tasks or crafts. It's the most common and versatile translation for 'ability' or 'skill'.

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capacidad🔊B1

Choose 'capacidad' when referring to someone's potential or inherent power to do something, often suggesting a more significant or intellectual aptitude, like learning quickly or understanding complex ideas.

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aptitud🔊B1

Use 'aptitud' to describe a natural inclination or talent for a specific activity, often implying a suitability or predisposition, like a natural talent for music or sports.

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competencia🔊B1

Employ 'competencia' when discussing a level of skill or proficiency, often in a professional or academic context, referring to one's competence in a particular field or task.

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poder🔊B1

Use 'poder' as a noun when 'ability' translates to 'power' or 'might,' often in a more abstract or forceful sense, like the power to influence or control.

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facultad🔊B1

Opt for 'facultad' when referring to a specific physical or mental capacity, especially one that can be lost or impaired, such as the ability to see, hear, or think.

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valíaB2

Use 'valía' to express the worth or value of someone's talent or capacity, particularly in a professional context, highlighting their importance and merit.

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English → Spanish

habilidad

ah-bee-lee-DAHD/aβiliˈðað/

nounA1general
Use 'habilidad' for a general, often practical skill or talent that someone possesses, especially for everyday tasks or crafts. It's the most common and versatile translation for 'ability' or 'skill'.
An image showing an arrow deeply embedded in the exact center of a target's bullseye, symbolizing precision and skill.

Examples

Mi abuela tiene una gran habilidad para la cocina.

My grandmother has a great ability for cooking.

Mi hermano tiene una gran habilidad para dibujar.

My brother has a great skill for drawing.

Necesitas demostrar tu habilidad antes de conseguir el trabajo.

You need to show your ability before getting the job.

La habilidad de adaptarse al cambio es crucial en este campo.

The ability to adapt to change is crucial in this field.

Always Feminine

All Spanish nouns that end in -dad (like 'ciudad', 'verdad', 'habilidad') are feminine. You must always use 'la' or 'una' before them.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “El habilidad”

Correction: La habilidad. Remember the -dad ending is a strong signal that the word is feminine.

capacidad

/kah-pah-see-dahd//kapaˈsiðað/

nounB1general
Choose 'capacidad' when referring to someone's potential or inherent power to do something, often suggesting a more significant or intellectual aptitude, like learning quickly or understanding complex ideas.
A young person standing confidently while effortlessly juggling three brightly colored balls high in the air, demonstrating natural skill.

Examples

Tiene una enorme capacidad de análisis.

He has an enormous ability for analysis.

Tiene una gran capacidad para aprender idiomas rápidamente.

She has a great ability to learn languages quickly.

Dudo de mi capacidad para terminar el proyecto a tiempo.

I doubt my capability to finish the project on time.

Todos tenemos la capacidad de cambiar nuestras vidas.

We all have the capacity (potential) to change our lives.

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in '-d', 'capacidad' is always a feminine noun, so you use feminine articles: 'la capacidad', 'una capacidad'.

Using 'de' after

When talking about the ability to do something, use the preposition 'de' followed by the base form of the verb (the infinitive): 'capacidad de trabajar' (ability to work).

Gender confusion

Mistake: “El capacidad”

Correction: La capacidad. Remember most nouns ending in '-dad' are feminine.

aptitud

/ap-tee-TOOD//ap.tiˈtuð/

nounB1general
Use 'aptitud' to describe a natural inclination or talent for a specific activity, often implying a suitability or predisposition, like a natural talent for music or sports.
A child sitting at a piano, effortlessly playing a beautiful melody with a natural smile.

Examples

Desarrolló una aptitud temprana para la música.

He developed an early aptitude for music.

Ella tiene una aptitud natural para los idiomas.

She has a natural aptitude for languages.

El examen mide tu aptitud para las matemáticas.

The exam measures your aptitude for mathematics.

El certificado médico confirma su aptitud física para el buceo.

The medical certificate confirms his physical fitness for diving.

Always Feminine

In Spanish, almost all words ending in '-tud' are feminine. You should always use feminine markers like 'la', 'una', or 'las' with this word.

The 'P' vs 'C' Distinction

Be careful to pronounce the 'p' clearly. If you swap the 'p' for a 'c', you change the word from 'aptitud' (skill) to 'actitud' (attitude).

Aptitud vs. Actitud

Mistake: “Tiene una buena actitud para el piano.”

Correction: Tiene una buena aptitud para el piano.

competencia

com-peh-TEN-see-ah/kompeˈtensja/

nounB1formal
Employ 'competencia' when discussing a level of skill or proficiency, often in a professional or academic context, referring to one's competence in a particular field or task.
A stylized cartoon bear standing confidently while expertly juggling three red apples, representing competence or ability.

Examples

La empresa busca empleados con alta competencia digital.

The company seeks employees with high digital competence.

Ella demostró una gran competencia lingüística en la entrevista.

She demonstrated great linguistic competence (or skill) in the interview.

Ese tribunal no tiene competencia para juzgar este caso.

That court does not have jurisdiction (or authority) to judge this case.

Mi competencia principal es la gestión de proyectos.

My main competence (or skill) is project management.

Using with Prepositions

Often paired with 'en' (in/at) when describing the area of skill: 'competencia en matemáticas' (competence in math).

Mixing Meanings

Mistake: “Saying 'Tengo mucha competencia' when you mean 'I have great skill'.”

Correction: This sounds like 'I have a lot of rivals.' Use 'Tengo mucha habilidad' or 'Tengo mucha capacidad' instead to avoid confusion.

poder

/poh-DEHR//poˈðeɾ/

nounB1general
Use 'poder' as a noun when 'ability' translates to 'power' or 'might,' often in a more abstract or forceful sense, like the power to influence or control.
A single, majestic, glowing golden crown resting on a regal red velvet cushion, symbolizing authority and control.

Examples

El dinero otorga un gran poder.

Money grants great power.

El conocimiento es poder.

Knowledge is power.

El presidente tiene mucho poder.

The president has a lot of power.

Ella tiene el poder de cambiar las cosas.

She has the ability to change things.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-er' like a verb, when 'poder' is a noun, it's always masculine. So, remember to use 'el poder' or 'un poder'.

facultad

fah-kool-TAHD/fa.kulˈtað/

nounB1formal
Opt for 'facultad' when referring to a specific physical or mental capacity, especially one that can be lost or impaired, such as the ability to see, hear, or think.
A simple illustration of a person skillfully juggling three bright red apples while standing on one leg, symbolizing capacity and ability.

Examples

Tras el golpe, perdió la facultad del habla.

After the blow, he lost the ability to speak.

Perdió la facultad de movimiento tras el accidente.

She lost the ability to move after the accident.

El director tiene la facultad de contratar y despedir personal.

The director has the power (or authority/right) to hire and fire staff.

La facultad de razonar es lo que nos distingue.

The capacity for reason is what distinguishes us.

Using 'Tener la facultad'

When talking about having the right or authority to do something, use 'tener la facultad de' followed by the action (in the infinitive form).

valía

nounB2formal
Use 'valía' to express the worth or value of someone's talent or capacity, particularly in a professional context, highlighting their importance and merit.

Examples

Su valía como investigador es indiscutible.

His worth/ability as a researcher is indisputable.

Habilidad vs. Capacidad

The most common confusion is between 'habilidad' and 'capacidad'. Remember that 'habilidad' is for a specific, often practical skill (like drawing), while 'capacidad' refers to a broader potential or inherent talent, especially for learning or understanding.

Related Translations

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