Inklingo

How to Say "skill" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “skill” is “habilidad” — use 'habilidad' for a general, natural, or learned competence or talent that someone possesses..

habilidad🔊A1

Use 'habilidad' for a general, natural, or learned competence or talent that someone possesses.

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competencia🔊B1

Choose 'competencia' when referring to a specific, often demonstrated, talent or proficiency in a particular area, like language or a professional field.

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técnicaA2

Use 'técnica' when the skill involves a specific method, procedure, or expertise that needs to be learned and practiced.

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arte🔊B1

Employ 'arte' to describe a high level of mastery or a refined skill, often associated with creative or artistic endeavors.

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industria🔊C1

Use 'industria' to refer to a skill that involves cleverness, ingenuity, or industriousness in solving problems or creating things.

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ciencia🔊C1

While 'ciencia' literally means 'science', it can be used idiomatically to mean 'skill' or 'mastery' when referring to knowing something thoroughly or with certainty.

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English → Spanish

habilidad

ah-bee-lee-DAHD/aβiliˈðað/

nounA1general
Use 'habilidad' for a general, natural, or learned competence or talent that someone possesses.
An image showing an arrow deeply embedded in the exact center of a target's bullseye, symbolizing precision and skill.

Examples

Mi padre tiene una gran habilidad para la carpintería.

My father has a great skill for carpentry.

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.

competencia

com-peh-TEN-see-ah/kompeˈtensja/

nounB1general
Choose 'competencia' when referring to a specific, often demonstrated, talent or proficiency in a particular area, like language or a professional field.
A stylized cartoon bear standing confidently while expertly juggling three red apples, representing competence or ability.

Examples

La jugadora demostró una notable competencia en la cancha.

The player demonstrated remarkable skill/competence on the court.

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.

técnica

nounA2general
Use 'técnica' when the skill involves a specific method, procedure, or expertise that needs to be learned and practiced.

Examples

El nuevo empleado necesita aprender la técnica de atención al cliente.

The new employee needs to learn the customer service skill/technique.

arte

/ar-te//ˈaɾte/

nounB1general
Employ 'arte' to describe a high level of mastery or a refined skill, often associated with creative or artistic endeavors.
A pair of hands demonstrating great focus and precision while shaping wet clay on a spinning pottery wheel.

Examples

El chef tiene un verdadero arte para la repostería.

The chef has a real skill/art for pastry making.

La costurera tiene un gran arte para diseñar vestidos.

The seamstress has a great skill for designing dresses.

El arte de la oratoria es saber qué decir y cuándo callar.

The art of public speaking is knowing what to say and when to be quiet.

Hacer ese postre es todo un arte; requiere paciencia.

Making that dessert is quite a craft; it requires patience.

Used for Mastery

In this meaning, 'arte' describes not just any ability, but a highly developed, almost creative mastery of a particular activity (like cooking, debating, or negotiation).

industria

/in-DUS-tria//inˈdustɾja/

nounC1general
Use 'industria' to refer to a skill that involves cleverness, ingenuity, or industriousness in solving problems or creating things.
A person wearing an apron diligently hammering a small wooden peg into a board on a workbench, showing concentration and hard work.

Examples

Con gran industria, logró arreglar el reloj antiguo.

With great skill/ingenuity, he managed to fix the antique clock.

Demostró gran industria al reparar el motor él mismo.

He showed great skill/ingenuity in repairing the engine himself.

Gracias a su industria, la familia prosperó.

Thanks to their diligence/hard work, the family prospered.

Formal Usage

This meaning is often found in conjunction with adjectives like 'gran' (great) or 'mucha' (much) to emphasize the effort or skill involved.

ciencia

SYEN-see-ah (Latin America) or thee-EN-thee-ah (Spain)/ˈsjen.sja/

nounC1idiomatic
While 'ciencia' literally means 'science', it can be used idiomatically to mean 'skill' or 'mastery' when referring to knowing something thoroughly or with certainty.
A tall stack of colorful, closed storybooks resting on a surface, with a bright glowing yellow lightbulb floating directly above them, symbolizing accumulated knowledge.

Examples

Es difícil saber la ciencia cierta qué pasó.

It's difficult to know for certain the skill/truth of what happened.

No podemos saber a ciencia cierta quién fue el culpable.

We cannot know for certain who the culprit was. (Literally: 'to certain knowledge')

Ese carpintero tiene mucha ciencia en el manejo de la madera.

That carpenter has great skill in handling wood.

Idiomatic Use

This meaning of 'ciencia' is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 'a ciencia cierta' to express certainty or lack thereof.

Habilidad vs. Técnica

Learners often confuse 'habilidad' and 'técnica'. Remember that 'habilidad' refers to the general ability someone has, while 'técnica' emphasizes the specific method or procedure used to perform a task.

Related Translations

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