Inklingo

How to Say "skills" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “skills” is “habilidades” — use this for general capacities or proficiencies that are often developed through learning or practice, especially in professional or everyday contexts.

habilidades🔊A1

Use this for general capacities or proficiencies that are often developed through learning or practice, especially in professional or everyday contexts.

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conocimientos🔊B1

This term refers to the theoretical or practical understanding and expertise acquired in a specific field, often learned through study or experience.

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técnicasA2

Use this when referring to specific, often manual or procedural, abilities that are learned through training or instruction.

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artes🔊B1

This word implies a mastery of practical or technical abilities, often suggesting a craft or a traditional skill that requires significant practice.

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dote🔊B2

Choose this for natural talents or professional capabilities that seem innate or very strongly developed, often related to arts or specific professions.

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English → Spanish

habilidades

ah-bee-lee-DAH-desa.βi.liˈða.ðes

nounA1general
Use this for general capacities or proficiencies that are often developed through learning or practice, especially in professional or everyday contexts.
A close-up view of a person's hands expertly using a small, sharp chisel to carve a detailed, smooth wooden figure, showing precision and skill.

Examples

Necesitas desarrollar tus habilidades comunicativas para el trabajo.

You need to develop your communication skills for the job.

¿Cuáles son las habilidades blandas más importantes hoy en día?

What are the most important soft skills nowadays?

Ella tiene muchas habilidades artísticas, como pintar y dibujar.

She has many artistic abilities, like painting and drawing.

Always Feminine

The word 'habilidad' (singular) is always feminine, so when it is plural ('habilidades'), it requires feminine articles and adjectives: 'las habilidades nuevas' (the new skills).

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “Los habilidades”

Correction: Las habilidades. Remember, the base word 'habilidad' ends in -dad, which is a strong hint that the word is feminine.

conocimientos

ko-no-see-MYEN-tohskonosiˈmjentos

nounB1technical/academic
This term refers to the theoretical or practical understanding and expertise acquired in a specific field, often learned through study or experience.
A glowing lightbulb resting on top of a stack of colorful books, representing the acquisition of knowledge.

Examples

El candidato tiene profundos conocimientos de programación.

The candidate has deep knowledge of programming.

Mis conocimientos de francés son un poco básicos.

My French skills are a bit basic.

Es importante actualizar nuestros conocimientos constantemente.

It is important to constantly update our expertise.

The Plural Power

While 'conocimiento' (singular) often refers to the abstract concept of knowing, 'conocimientos' (plural) is almost always used when talking about a collection of skills or the information someone has learned in school or at work.

Knowledge is plural in Spanish?

Mistake: “Using 'tengo mucho conocimiento de eso'.”

Correction: Say 'tengo muchos conocimientos de eso' when talking about your expertise or skills.

técnicas

nounA2practical/training
Use this when referring to specific, often manual or procedural, abilities that are learned through training or instruction.

Examples

Necesitas aprender nuevas técnicas de estudio.

You need to learn new study techniques.

artes

ar-tesˈaɾtes

nounB1craft/practical
This word implies a mastery of practical or technical abilities, often suggesting a craft or a traditional skill that requires significant practice.
A close-up view of hands diligently weaving colorful yarn on a small wooden loom, demonstrating technical skill.

Examples

Él domina las artes de la pesca tradicional.

He masters the techniques of traditional fishing.

Practico artes marciales desde pequeño.

I have practiced martial arts since I was little.

Las artes de la guerra son un tema fascinante.

The arts of war (warfare skills) are a fascinating subject.

Using 'Artes' for Skills

When 'artes' refers to practical skills or methods, it often appears in fixed phrases like 'artes marciales' or 'artes de la caza' (hunting techniques).

dote

doh-tehˈdote

nounB2talent/professional
Choose this for natural talents or professional capabilities that seem innate or very strongly developed, often related to arts or specific professions.
A child sitting at a piano, playing with focus and ease.

Examples

Ella tiene grandes dotes para la música.

She has great talent for music.

Sus dotes de mando impresionaron a todo el equipo.

His leadership skills impressed the whole team.

Para ser un buen comercial, hay que tener dotes de gentes.

To be a good salesman, you need to have people skills.

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in 'e', which can be tricky, this word is always feminine (la dote / las dotes).

Usually Plural for Talents

When talking about someone's natural abilities, we almost always use the plural form: 'las dotes'.

The 'El' Trap

Mistake: “El dote de gentes.”

Correction: Las dotes de gentes. (Remember, talents are feminine and usually plural!)

General vs. Specific Skills

Learners often use 'habilidades' for all types of skills. Remember that 'conocimientos' is best for intellectual or theoretical knowledge, while 'técnicas' refers to specific, trained procedures. 'Dotes' implies a natural aptitude, which is different from learned 'habilidades'.

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