In 15 Seconds
- To actively improve your skills through practice and effort.
- Perfect for job interviews, hobbies, and personal growth discussions.
- Combines 'Fähigkeiten' (skills) with 'entwickeln' (to develop/evolve).
Meaning
This phrase is all about the process of getting better at something through practice and learning. It is like taking a raw talent and polishing it until it becomes a real strength.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a job interview
Ich möchte meine kommunikativen Fähigkeiten in diesem Team entwickeln.
I want to develop my communication skills within this team.
Talking about a new hobby
Beim Malen kann ich meine kreativen Fähigkeiten entwickeln.
I can develop my creative skills while painting.
Texting a friend about a course
Der Kurs hilft mir echt, meine IT-Fähigkeiten zu entwickeln!
The course is really helping me develop my IT skills!
Cultural Background
The 'Duales Ausbildungssystem' (dual education system) is a source of national pride. It focuses heavily on developing practical 'Fähigkeiten' through a mix of school and on-the-job training. Swiss culture values precision and 'Perfektionismus'. Developing skills is seen as a lifelong duty to maintain high quality standards (Swiss Quality). Austrians often use the term 'Können' alongside 'Fähigkeiten'. There is a strong tradition of 'Meister' (master) and 'Lehrling' (apprentice) where skills are passed down and developed over generations. In German companies, 'Personalentwicklung' is a dedicated department. They don't just hire people; they 'develop' them through 'Seminare' and 'Workshops'.
Use specific adjectives
Instead of just saying 'Fähigkeiten', always add an adjective like 'soziale', 'technische', or 'sprachliche' to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't say 'Fähigkeiten machen'
This is the most common mistake for English speakers. Progress is 'machen', but skills are 'entwickeln'.
In 15 Seconds
- To actively improve your skills through practice and effort.
- Perfect for job interviews, hobbies, and personal growth discussions.
- Combines 'Fähigkeiten' (skills) with 'entwickeln' (to develop/evolve).
What It Means
Fähigkeiten entwickeln is your go-to phrase for personal growth. It means you are actively working to improve a specific skill. You aren't just born with it; you are building it. Think of it like leveling up in a video game. You start with basic stats and work hard to get better. It covers everything from coding to cooking to public speaking.
How To Use It
You will usually use this phrase with a helping verb. For example, use möchte (would like) or will (want). You can say, "Ich möchte meine Fähigkeiten entwickeln." This sounds very proactive and positive. It shows you have a growth mindset. In German, the verb entwickeln usually goes to the end. Keep that in mind when you are building longer sentences. It is a very flexible phrase for many contexts.
When To Use It
Use this during a job interview to sound impressive. It shows the boss you want to grow. You can also use it when talking about hobbies. If you just started guitar, tell your friends you're developing your skills. It works well in school or university settings too. Even in a performance review, this phrase is a total winner. It makes you sound like someone who takes their future seriously.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for simple, automatic physical things. You wouldn't "develop the skill" to breathe or blink. It also sounds a bit too heavy for tiny tasks. You don't "develop the skill" to take out the trash. Avoid using it for negative habits too. You don't "develop the skill" of being late to meetings. Keep it for things that actually require effort and practice.
Cultural Background
Germany has a huge culture of Weiterbildung (further education). People there love certificates and official training. Being a lifelong learner is highly respected in German society. The idea of Handwerk (craftsmanship) is also deep in the culture. This phrase taps into that tradition of mastering a craft. It is not just about being good; it is about the journey to mastery.
Common Variations
You might hear Kenntnisse erweitern which means expanding your knowledge. Another one is Fertigkeiten verbessern, which is more about manual or technical tasks. If you want to sound more casual, you can say etwas dazulernen. But Fähigkeiten entwickeln is the gold standard for talking about growth. It sounds balanced and professional yet personal.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for almost any situation. Just remember that 'entwickeln' is a weak verb, and in subordinate clauses, it will move to the very end of the sentence.
Use specific adjectives
Instead of just saying 'Fähigkeiten', always add an adjective like 'soziale', 'technische', or 'sprachliche' to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't say 'Fähigkeiten machen'
This is the most common mistake for English speakers. Progress is 'machen', but skills are 'entwickeln'.
The CV Power Move
In German resumes, use the noun form 'Entwicklung von Fähigkeiten' as a heading for your training section.
Examples
6Ich möchte meine kommunikativen Fähigkeiten in diesem Team entwickeln.
I want to develop my communication skills within this team.
A classic professional way to show ambition.
Beim Malen kann ich meine kreativen Fähigkeiten entwickeln.
I can develop my creative skills while painting.
Shows how a hobby contributes to personal growth.
Der Kurs hilft mir echt, meine IT-Fähigkeiten zu entwickeln!
The course is really helping me develop my IT skills!
Casual way to share progress with a friend.
Ich muss dringend meine Fähigkeit entwickeln, morgens aufzustehen.
I urgently need to develop the skill of getting up in the morning.
Using a formal phrase for a silly everyday struggle.
Es ist toll zu sehen, wie du deine sozialen Fähigkeiten entwickelst.
It is great to see how you are developing your social skills.
Warm and supportive feedback.
Wir müssen neue Fähigkeiten entwickeln, um am Markt zu bleiben.
We must develop new skills to stay in the market.
Used in a business strategy context.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'entwickeln'.
Ich möchte meine {die|f} Fähigkeiten im Programmieren ______.
After 'möchte' (modal verb), the main verb must be in the infinitive at the end of the sentence.
Which adjective fits best for a job interview?
Ich habe meine ______ Fähigkeiten in meinem letzten Job entwickelt.
'Beruflich' means professional, which is the most appropriate context for a job interview.
Match the skill type with the activity.
Match the following:
These are common collocations for specific skill types.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum machst du diesen Kurs? B: Ich will meine ______ ______.
The context of taking a course usually implies developing skills.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch möchte meine {die|f} Fähigkeiten im Programmieren ______.
After 'möchte' (modal verb), the main verb must be in the infinitive at the end of the sentence.
Ich habe meine ______ Fähigkeiten in meinem letzten Job entwickelt.
'Beruflich' means professional, which is the most appropriate context for a job interview.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common collocations for specific skill types.
A: Warum machst du diesen Kurs? B: Ich will meine ______ ______.
The context of taking a course usually implies developing skills.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you can use it for hobbies, sports, and personal growth as well.
Yes, in modern business German, 'Skills' is often used, but 'Fähigkeiten' is the proper German word.
'Fähigkeit' is more general (ability), while 'Fertigkeit' usually refers to manual or technical skills (dexterity).
Use the Perfekt: 'Ich habe meine Fähigkeiten entwickelt.'
It is neutral to formal. It's safe to use in any professional or educational setting.
Yes, e.g., 'Kinder entwickeln ihre motorischen Fähigkeiten.'
It means 'personal development' or 'self-improvement' and is a very popular topic in Germany.
Mostly, but it can also mean 'to design' or 'to engineer' in technical contexts.
Yes, that means 'to increase/boost skills', but it's less common than 'entwickeln'.
You can just say 'dazulernen' (to learn more) in casual conversation.
Related Phrases
Kompetenzen erwerben
synonymTo acquire competencies
sein Können unter Beweis stellen
builds onTo put one's skills to the test
Talente fördern
similarTo promote talents
sich weiterbilden
similarTo continue one's education
an sich arbeiten
similarTo work on oneself
