Explanation at your level:
Capabilities are things you can do. If you can swim, that is a capability. You have many capabilities like talking, walking, and playing. Everyone has different things they are good at. What are your capabilities?
Capabilities are your skills and talents. A computer has capabilities like playing music or browsing the internet. A person has capabilities like speaking languages or cooking. It means you have the power to do a task well.
When we talk about capabilities, we are describing what a person or a system can achieve. It is often used in work or school contexts. For example, a student might show their writing capabilities in an essay. It is a useful word to describe your strengths to an employer.
Capabilities refer to the capacity to perform specific functions. In a professional environment, you might discuss the 'technical capabilities' of a new software. It implies not just the ability to do something, but the resources and potential to do it effectively and consistently over time.
The term is frequently used to denote the scope of an entity's power. In strategic or academic discourse, it encompasses the total range of actions an organization can undertake. It is more nuanced than 'ability' because it suggests a structural or systemic capacity to achieve complex outcomes.
Etymologically rooted in the concept of 'holding', capabilities represent the breadth of an entity’s operational reach. In literary and formal contexts, it describes the latent potential within a system. It is a sophisticated way to articulate the intersection of skill, resource, and intent, often used to evaluate the readiness or efficacy of an institution.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Capabilities are skills or resources.
- It is a formal noun.
- Often used in business/tech.
- It means 'power to do'.
Think of capabilities as your personal toolkit. Just like a toolbox has different instruments for different jobs, your capabilities are the skills and strengths you carry with you to handle life's challenges.
When we talk about a person, we mean their talents or potential. When we talk about a company, we mean their resources and technology. It’s all about potential and effectiveness. If you have the capability to do something, it means you have the power to make it happen.
The word capabilities comes from the Latin word capere, which means 'to take' or 'to hold'. It evolved through Old French into Middle English as capable.
Historically, it was used to describe someone who could 'hold' or 'contain' a certain amount of knowledge or skill. Over time, it shifted from just 'holding' something to having the 'power' to execute tasks. It’s a classic example of how language moves from physical containers to abstract human potential.
You will hear capabilities most often in professional or technical settings. People talk about 'technical capabilities' in business or 'defense capabilities' in government.
It is almost always used in the plural form when discussing a set of skills or functions. While you can say 'the capability to do X', using the plural 'capabilities' sounds more comprehensive and professional when describing a broad range of talents.
The word is a plural noun. It is pronounced /ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪtiz/ in both UK and US English, with the primary stress on the third syllable 'bil'.
It is a countable noun, so you can have 'one capability' or 'many capabilities'. It is often followed by the preposition 'of' + gerund (e.g., 'the capability of running fast').
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'capture'!
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like kay-puh-bil-ih-teez
Sounds like kay-puh-bil-ih-teez
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'bil' part
- Swallowing the 't' sound
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
The capabilities are great.
Prepositional phrases
Capability of doing.
Pluralization
Capability -> Capabilities.
Examples by Level
I have the capability to run.
I can run
Simple present
She has many capabilities.
She has many skills
Plural noun
He likes his capabilities.
He likes what he can do
Possessive
The dog has capabilities.
The dog can do things
Noun usage
My capability is reading.
I can read well
Singular
Do you have capabilities?
Can you do things?
Question form
We have new capabilities.
We have new skills
Plural
Use your capabilities now.
Use your skills
Imperative
The phone has many capabilities.
She showed her capabilities in class.
Our team has great capabilities.
They tested the car's capabilities.
I want to improve my capabilities.
The robot has unique capabilities.
He is proud of his capabilities.
What are your main capabilities?
The software has advanced capabilities.
We need to assess our production capabilities.
Her leadership capabilities are impressive.
The company is expanding its capabilities.
He lacks the capability to do this alone.
The project requires specific technical capabilities.
They have the capability of winning.
She demonstrated her capabilities during the interview.
The military's defensive capabilities were tested.
We must evaluate the firm's core capabilities.
His analytical capabilities are second to none.
The system's capabilities exceed our requirements.
They are building up their research capabilities.
The manager recognized her latent capabilities.
We are limited by our current technological capabilities.
The report highlights the country's economic capabilities.
The organization is leveraging its existing capabilities.
The platform offers a wide range of analytical capabilities.
His creative capabilities allowed for a unique solution.
We are assessing the strategic capabilities of the partners.
The system's capabilities are highly sophisticated.
She possesses the capabilities required for the role.
The project aims to enhance our operational capabilities.
The machine's capabilities are truly remarkable.
The inherent capabilities of the human mind are vast.
We must consider the geopolitical capabilities of the state.
The architect demonstrated an extraordinary capability for design.
The system's capabilities are designed to scale.
He questioned the moral capabilities of the institution.
The software's capabilities are constantly evolving.
We are exploring the full capabilities of the new material.
The firm's success stems from its unique capabilities.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"Beyond one's capabilities"
Too hard
It was beyond his capabilities.
neutral"Within one's capabilities"
Doable
It is within my capabilities.
neutral"Stretch one's capabilities"
Push limits
This project will stretch your capabilities.
formal"Test one's capabilities"
See what you can do
He tested his capabilities.
neutral"Show one's capabilities"
Prove yourself
She showed her capabilities.
neutral"Limit one's capabilities"
Restrict
Don't limit your capabilities.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar sound
Capacity is volume; capability is skill
The room has a capacity of 50; he has the capability to lead.
Synonym
Ability is general; capability is specific
He has the ability to run; he has the capability to manage a team.
Similar meaning
Competence is the quality of being good
He showed great competence in his work.
Future focus
Potential is latent; capability is active
He has potential to grow his capabilities.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + has + the + capability + to + verb
She has the capability to lead.
Subject + possesses + capabilities
He possesses great capabilities.
The + noun + has + capabilities
The phone has capabilities.
Expand + one's + capabilities
We must expand our capabilities.
Assess + capabilities
Let's assess our capabilities.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
Capability is strictly a noun.
They have different nuances.
Capabilities is more common in professional contexts.
Check the 'i' before the 't'.
Needs proper article usage.
Tips
The 'Cap' Trick
Think of a 'cap' on your brain holding all your skills.
Business Speak
Use it in resumes to sound professional.
Tech Focus
Commonly used in software reviews.
Pluralization
Always use 'capabilities' for general lists.
Stress the Middle
Focus on the 'BIL' sound.
Don't Verb It
Never say 'I capability this'.
Latin Roots
It comes from 'capere' (to take).
Contextualize
Use it in a sentence about your work.
Prepositions
Use 'capability of' + -ing.
Tone Check
Keep it formal.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
CAP-ability: You have a CAP (hat) on your head, and you have the ABILITY to think under it.
Visual Association
A superhero with a utility belt showing all their tools.
Word Web
Herausforderung
List 3 of your own capabilities today!
Wortherkunft
Latin
Original meaning: To take or hold
Kultureller Kontext
None, very neutral.
Used heavily in business and military jargon.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- technical capabilities
- core capabilities
- leadership capabilities
School
- writing capabilities
- analytical capabilities
- learning capabilities
Technology
- system capabilities
- software capabilities
- AI capabilities
Military
- defensive capabilities
- strategic capabilities
- operational capabilities
Conversation Starters
"What are your strongest professional capabilities?"
"How do you expand your capabilities?"
"Do you think AI has better capabilities than humans?"
"What is a capability you wish you had?"
"How do you assess your own capabilities?"
Journal Prompts
Describe three of your best capabilities.
How can you improve your current capabilities?
Write about a time you used your capabilities to solve a problem.
What capabilities do you think are most important for the future?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenThey are very similar, but capability often implies potential or resources.
Yes, it describes human skills.
It can be both singular and plural.
Capable.
C-A-P-A-B-I-L-I-T-I-E-S.
It is more formal than 'can'.
Yes, it is very common in tech.
Talent is more natural; capability is more about function.
Teste dich selbst
I have the ___ to run fast.
Capability means ability.
What does capabilities mean?
Capabilities are skills.
Capabilities is a verb.
It is a noun.
Word
Bedeutung
They are synonyms.
Subject + verb + adj + noun.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
Capabilities represent the power and potential to achieve specific goals.
- Capabilities are skills or resources.
- It is a formal noun.
- Often used in business/tech.
- It means 'power to do'.
The 'Cap' Trick
Think of a 'cap' on your brain holding all your skills.
Business Speak
Use it in resumes to sound professional.
Tech Focus
Commonly used in software reviews.
Pluralization
Always use 'capabilities' for general lists.
