competence
Competence is the ability to do something well because you have the right skills.
Explanation at your level:
Competence means you are good at doing something. If you can cook a meal well, you have cooking competence. It is a big word for 'being able to do a job well.' You use it when you want to say someone is ready to work or help.
When you have competence, you have the skills to finish a task. For example, if you have computer competence, it means you can use a computer to do your homework or work. It shows that you are not a beginner anymore and you know what you are doing.
In B1 English, we use competence to talk about meeting standards. You might talk about 'language competence,' which means you can communicate effectively in a new language. It is about having enough knowledge to handle situations without needing help from others.
At the B2 level, competence is often used in professional contexts, such as 'cultural competence' or 'technical competence.' It implies a level of proficiency that allows for independence. It is more formal than saying 'I am good at this,' as it suggests an objective assessment of your abilities.
At the C1 level, you recognize that competence is a nuanced term. It often implies a threshold—you either meet the standard or you don't. You will see it in academic papers or business reports discussing 'core competencies,' which are the unique strengths that make an organization or person stand out from the rest.
Mastering the term competence at the C2 level involves understanding its etymological roots in 'fitness' and 'suitability.' It is often contrasted with 'performance' in linguistic theory (Chomsky's competence vs. performance). It represents the underlying knowledge of a system, as opposed to the actual execution of that knowledge in a specific instance. It is a sophisticated noun used to analyze human capability in depth.
30초 단어
- Competence is the ability to do something well.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is often used in professional settings.
- It is related to the word compete.
Think of competence as your personal 'toolbox' of skills. When someone says you have competence in a certain area, they mean you have the right combination of knowledge and practice to get the job done correctly.
It is not just about knowing facts; it is about application. You might know how a guitar works, but your competence is shown when you can actually play a song without hitting wrong notes. It is a highly valued trait in both school and the workplace.
Being competent means you are dependable. People trust you because they know you have the capability to handle the situation. It is the opposite of being clueless or unprepared.
The word competence has a long journey through history. It traces back to the Latin word competere, which means 'to strive together' or 'to be fit/suitable.' Interestingly, it shares the same root as the word compete.
Originally, the idea was that if you were 'competing' for something, you had to be 'fit' or 'qualified' to do so. Over time, the meaning shifted from the act of striving to the state of being qualified. It entered English via Old French in the 16th century.
It is fascinating how the word evolved from a sense of rivalry to a sense of mastery. Today, we focus on the 'ability' aspect rather than the 'rivalry' aspect, but the connection remains in the idea that you must be capable to succeed in any competition.
You will hear competence most often in professional or academic contexts. It is a formal word, so you might use it in a performance review or a job application rather than at a casual dinner party.
Common collocations include 'demonstrate competence', 'technical competence', and 'level of competence'. These phrases help clarify exactly what kind of skill is being discussed.
While 'skill' is a more casual synonym, 'competence' carries more weight. If you say someone has 'skill,' you are describing a talent; if you say they have 'competence,' you are confirming they meet a standard of excellence. Use it when you want to sound professional and precise.
While 'competence' itself isn't the star of many idioms, it relates to several expressions about capability:
- Up to the mark: Meaning someone has the necessary competence.
- Know one's stuff: A casual way to say someone has high competence.
- Jack of all trades: Someone with competence in many areas.
- Master of one's craft: Showing high-level professional competence.
- Cut the mustard: To have the competence to reach a required standard.
These idioms allow you to express the same idea as 'competence' but with different levels of formality depending on who you are talking to.
Competence is an uncountable noun. You generally do not say 'a competence' or 'competences' in everyday English. Instead, use 'a high level of competence' or 'demonstrating competence.'
The pronunciation is KOM-pi-tuhns. The stress is on the first syllable. In IPA, it is /ˈkɒmpɪtəns/ for British English and /ˈkɑːmpɪtəns/ for American English.
It rhymes with words like confidence, impenitence, and precedence. Notice the suffix -ence, which is common in abstract nouns describing states or qualities. Keep the 't' sound crisp to ensure clarity when speaking.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'compete', showing that being skilled was historically linked to winning contests.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound, clear 't's.
Open 'ah' sound, clear 't's.
Common Errors
- stressing the wrong syllable
- mispronouncing the 't'
- making it sound like 'competent'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy to understand
useful in essays
formal
clear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Competence is uncountable.
Noun Suffixes
-ence suffix.
Adjective to Noun
Competent to Competence.
Examples by Level
She has the competence to bake a cake.
has the ability
noun usage
He shows competence in his work.
shows skill
verb+noun
I want to gain competence.
get the skill
verb+noun
They have great competence.
are very skilled
adjective+noun
Do you have the competence?
are you able?
question form
Her competence is high.
her skill is good
subject+verb
He lacks competence.
he is not skilled
negative verb
Practice builds competence.
doing makes you better
noun+verb
The manager checked her technical competence.
He proved his competence during the test.
Language competence takes time to develop.
She has a high level of competence.
The job requires basic computer competence.
His competence in math is impressive.
They are building their team's competence.
We need to assess your competence.
The project requires a high degree of professional competence.
She demonstrated great competence in handling the crisis.
His lack of competence caused the project to fail.
They are evaluating the core competence of the staff.
We aim to improve our digital competence this year.
The certification proves his competence in the field.
She showed competence in both English and French.
The company values competence above everything else.
The candidate displayed remarkable competence during the interview.
It is a matter of professional competence to meet deadlines.
The curriculum is designed to foster student competence.
He lacks the necessary competence to manage the department.
Cultural competence is essential for international business.
The board questioned the CEO's competence in finance.
She has achieved a level of competence that is rare.
The training program focuses on increasing employee competence.
His competence in the field of linguistics is widely recognized.
The policy aims to ensure competence across all sectors.
She has demonstrated a unique competence for complex problem-solving.
The committee reviewed the applicant's professional competence.
The transition requires a high level of technical competence.
He possesses the competence to navigate difficult negotiations.
The study examines the relationship between training and competence.
The organization prides itself on its core competence in innovation.
The distinction between linguistic competence and performance is fundamental.
Her competence in the subject matter is beyond reproach.
The legal system requires a high standard of moral competence.
The institution maintains its competence through rigorous standards.
He displayed a surprising competence in historical analysis.
The debate centered on the competence of the governing body.
True competence is often invisible until a challenge arises.
She achieved a level of competence that defined her career.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"know one's stuff"
to be very skilled
Don't worry, she knows her stuff.
casual"up to the mark"
meeting requirements
His work is finally up to the mark.
neutral"cut the mustard"
to be good enough
He just doesn't cut the mustard.
casual"master of one's craft"
highly skilled
He is a true master of his craft.
formal"in one's element"
doing what one is good at
She is in her element when teaching.
neutral"have a knack for"
to have a natural skill
He has a knack for fixing things.
neutralEasily Confused
similar spelling
competition is a contest, competence is a skill
The competition was hard; I showed competence.
same root
competent is an adjective, competence is a noun
He is competent; he has competence.
very similar
competency is a specific skill unit
This is a core competency of the firm.
similar meaning
capability is potential, competence is proven skill
He has the capability to learn; he has the competence to do.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + demonstrates + competence
She demonstrates competence daily.
Subject + has + a + level + of + competence
I have a high level of competence.
Subject + lacks + competence
He lacks competence in this area.
Subject + builds + competence
We build competence through study.
The + noun + requires + competence
The job requires competence.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Competence is the state, competency is often a specific skill or qualification.
Do not say 'a competence'.
Competition is a contest; competence is skill.
It ends in -ence.
Competence usually refers to people.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a 'Competence Castle' where every room is a skill you have mastered.
Professional Talk
Use it during interviews to sound more experienced.
Business Etiquette
In the US, showing competence is the key to being hired.
Grammar Shortcut
Always pair it with 'level of' or 'demonstrate'.
Say It Right
Focus on the first syllable 'KOM'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a countable noun.
Did You Know?
It shares roots with 'compete'.
Study Smart
Learn it alongside 'competent' and 'competency'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
COMPETence: COM-P-E-T (Come Practice Every Time) to get better.
Visual Association
A person with a toolbelt full of shiny, well-organized tools.
Word Web
챌린지
Write three sentences describing a skill you have using the word.
어원
Latin
Original meaning: to strive together or to be fit
문화적 맥락
None, but can sound cold if used to describe a person's entire worth.
Highly valued in corporate and academic environments.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- demonstrate competence
- core competence
- professional competence
at school
- academic competence
- subject competence
- level of competence
hiring
- assess competence
- prove competence
- lack of competence
language learning
- language competence
- communicative competence
- high competence
Conversation Starters
"What is a skill you have great competence in?"
"Why is competence important in a leader?"
"Can competence be learned or is it natural?"
"How do you build competence in a new hobby?"
"Have you ever seen someone show high competence?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you showed competence.
What is a skill you want to gain competence in?
How do you feel when you are competent at a task?
Describe a person you know who has high competence.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문Talent is natural; competence is often learned.
It is better to say 'I have many competencies'.
Yes, it is very positive.
Use it to describe your core abilities.
Incompetence.
It is a bit formal for casual talk.
Yes, they are very similar.
It shows you are reliable.
셀프 테스트
She has the ___ to do the job.
Competence is the noun for ability.
Which word means the same as competence?
Skill is a synonym.
Competence is a countable noun.
It is uncountable.
Word
뜻
Matching synonyms and antonyms.
Correct structure: She has a high level of competence.
점수: /5
Summary
Competence is the proven ability to perform a task effectively.
- Competence is the ability to do something well.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is often used in professional settings.
- It is related to the word compete.
Memory Palace
Imagine a 'Competence Castle' where every room is a skill you have mastered.
Professional Talk
Use it during interviews to sound more experienced.
Business Etiquette
In the US, showing competence is the key to being hired.
Grammar Shortcut
Always pair it with 'level of' or 'demonstrate'.
예시
This is an example with competence.
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