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B1 adjective 8 min read

能力の高い

nōryoku no takai
Examples Notes & Tips 能力の高い in 30 Seconds
Explanation 能力の高い in your Level:
At the A1 level, you likely know the word 'takai' (high) and maybe 'hito' (person). You might not know the word 'nōryoku' (ability) yet. Think of this phrase as a way to say someone is 'high level.' Even if you can't use the whole phrase yet, understanding that 'takai' can describe things other than height or price is a great first step. At this level, you can simply remember that 'nōryoku' means 'skill' or 'power.' If you see 'nōryoku no takai hito,' just think 'a person with high skills.' You don't need to worry about the 'no' vs 'ga' grammar rule yet—just treat the whole thing as one long adjective that means 'very good at their job.' Focus on recognizing the kanji for 'power' (力), which you will see everywhere in Japanese. This phrase is a bit advanced for A1, but knowing it will make you sound very smart when you eventually use it! Keep practicing your basic adjectives first.
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At the A2 level, you are starting to build longer sentences. You probably know that 'takai' means high and 'nōryoku' means ability. You might have learned that 'ga' is used for subjects, like 'nōryoku ga takai' (ability is high). At this level, you should start noticing that when we describe a person, we say 'nōryoku no takai hito.' The 'no' replaces 'ga' here. This is a common pattern in Japanese. You can use this phrase to talk about your favorite characters in anime or people you look up to. For example, 'Kare wa nōryoku no takai hito desu' (He is a highly capable person). It’s a step up from just saying 'sugoi' (amazing) or 'jōzu' (skillful). It sounds more serious and respectful. Try to use it when talking about someone's professional skills or their general talent. It’s a great way to expand your vocabulary beyond the most basic adjectives.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'nōryoku no takai' correctly in both speech and writing. This is your target level for this word! You should understand the 'Ga-No Conversion' rule: in a relative clause (a phrase modifying a noun), the subject marker 'ga' can be replaced by 'no.' This makes the sentence flow better. You should also understand that 'nōryoku' (ability) is a broad term. It’s not just about being good at a hobby; it’s about having the 'capacity' to do things well, especially in a professional or intellectual sense. You might use this in a mock job interview or when writing a short essay about a role model. You should be able to distinguish this from 'jōzu' (skillful at a task) and 'yūshū' (excellent/academic). Practice using it with different nouns like 'jinzai' (human resources/talent), 'shain' (employee), or 'gakusei' (student). This phrase adds a professional polish to your Japanese that will impress native speakers.
At the B2 level, you should use 'nōryoku no takai' with nuance and precision. You understand that this phrase is often used in objective evaluations or formal contexts. You might compare it with more specific terms like 'yūnō' (efficient/talented) or 'takuetsu shita' (outstanding). At this level, you should be comfortable using the phrase within complex sentence structures, such as 'Nōryoku no takai jinzai o kakuho suru koto ga, kigyo no seichō ni fuketsu da' (Securing highly capable talent is indispensable for a company's growth). You should also be aware of the social implications: calling someone 'nōryoku no takai' is a high form of praise that suggests they have both the potential and the proven track record to succeed. You might also start to recognize it in business newspapers like the Nikkei. Your goal is to use it naturally in discussions about society, the economy, or professional development, showing that you can handle formal Japanese registers.
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At the C1 level, 'nōryoku no takai' is a basic part of your professional vocabulary, and you likely use even more specialized alternatives depending on the situation. You might use 'shisitsu no takai' (having high qualities/nature) or 'shūitsu na' (superb) when you want to be even more descriptive. You understand the subtle difference between 'nōryoku no takai' and 'jitsuryoku no aru' (having actual, proven strength). You can use the phrase to engage in deep discussions about human capital, educational reform, or leadership qualities. You also understand the stylistic choice between using 'ga' and 'no' in relative clauses to create a specific rhythm or emphasis in your writing. At this level, you aren't just using the word; you are using it to build a sophisticated argument or a nuanced character profile. You might also use it ironically or critically in certain contexts, showing a complete grasp of Japanese social dynamics and linguistic subtlety.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of phrases like 'nōryoku no takai.' You recognize it as a standard but effective way to describe competence, and you can effortlessly pivot to more literary or highly technical terms like 'tashina' (versatile/accomplished) or 'reirihanpaku' (brilliant and clear-witted) if the context demands. You understand how this phrase fits into the broader history of Japanese meritocracy and how it is used in high-level policy documents or philosophical texts about human potential. You can detect the slightest shift in tone when a speaker chooses this phrase over another, and you can use it yourself to convey exactly the right amount of professional respect or objective distance. For you, this phrase is one tool among thousands, used with perfect grammatical accuracy and cultural sensitivity. You could explain the historical evolution of the 'Ga-No Conversion' and how it affects the perceived formality of the phrase in various literary periods.
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Examples Notes & Tips

能力の高い in 30 Seconds

  • Used to describe people with high professional or intellectual skills.
  • Common in business, recruitment, and formal academic settings.
  • Grammatically uses 'no' instead of 'ga' when modifying a noun.
  • A respectful and objective way to praise someone's competence.

The phrase 能力の高い (のうりょくのたかい) is a sophisticated way to describe someone who possesses a high level of competence, skill, or intellectual capacity. In Japanese, the word nōryoku (能力) translates to 'ability' or 'capability,' while takai (高い) means 'high.' When combined, they form an adjectival phrase used to characterize individuals who excel in their field, demonstrate sharp problem-solving skills, or have a broad range of talents. This expression is particularly common in professional settings, educational contexts, and formal discussions about human resources or talent acquisition. It is important to note the grammatical structure: the particle の (no) is used here as a subject marker within a relative clause, which is a common substitution for が (ga) when modifying a noun. Therefore, nōryoku ga takai becomes nōryoku no takai when it directly precedes a noun like hito (person) or shain (employee).

Professional Context
Used to describe elite employees or candidates who can handle complex tasks with ease.
Academic Context
Refers to students or researchers with high cognitive abilities or specialized expertise.
General Nuance
Implies a consistent level of high performance rather than a one-time success.

弊社は能力の高いエンジニアを募集しています。(Our company is looking for highly capable engineers.)

When you use this phrase, you are attributing a stable quality to the person. It is more formal than saying someone is 'good at' something (上手 - jōzu) and broader than saying they are 'smart' (頭がいい - atama ga ii). It suggests a combination of innate potential and acquired skills. In a society like Japan, where meritocracy and professional excellence are highly valued, being described as nōryoku no takai is a significant compliment. However, because it sounds somewhat objective or evaluative, it is often used by superiors to describe subordinates or by third parties (like recruiters) rather than among close friends in a casual setting. Understanding the weight of this word helps learners navigate the nuances of Japanese workplace etiquette and formal social structures.

彼は若手だが、非常に能力の高いリーダーだ。(He is young, but he is a highly capable leader.)

The grammatical use of 能力の高い is primarily as a noun modifier. In Japanese, when a whole phrase acts as an adjective for a noun, we call it a relative clause. In the phrase nōryoku no takai hito, the core idea is 'a person whose ability is high.' Note that while you can say nōryoku ga takai (the ability is high), when it moves into the position of modifying a noun, the ga often shifts to no. This is a hallmark of N3/B1 level Japanese grammar known as 'Ga-No Conversion.' Using no makes the sentence sound more cohesive and is preferred in written or formal spoken Japanese.

Modifying a Person
能力の高い学生 (A highly capable student)
Modifying a Group
能力の高いチーム (A highly capable team)
Comparative Use
より能力の高い人材 (More highly capable talent)

このプロジェクトには、能力の高いスタッフが必要です。(This project requires highly capable staff.)

You can also use the phrase at the end of a sentence by switching back to ga. For example: Kanojo wa nōryoku ga takai (She is highly capable). While nōryoku no takai is the attributive form (used before nouns), nōryoku ga takai is the predicative form (used to end sentences). This distinction is vital for sounding natural. Additionally, you can intensify the phrase with adverbs like hijō ni (extremely) or kiwamete (exceedingly). For instance, hijō ni nōryoku no takai jimbutsu means 'an extremely capable individual.' This level of detail in description allows for precise evaluation in business reports or academic recommendations.

彼女のような能力の高い人は、どこでも成功するだろう。(A highly capable person like her would likely succeed anywhere.)

The phrase 能力の高い is a staple of Japanese professional life. You will encounter it most frequently in corporate environments, particularly during recruitment processes, performance reviews, and strategic planning meetings. When a company discusses their 'ideal candidate profile,' they almost always specify that they are looking for nōryoku no takai jinzai (highly capable human resources). It is also a common term in news reports discussing societal trends, such as the 'brain drain' of talented individuals or the need for highly skilled workers in the tech industry. In academic settings, professors might use it to describe students who show exceptional promise or who have mastered difficult concepts quickly.

TV News & Media
Discussing the need for 'highly capable' workers to boost the economy.
Office Meetings
Managers evaluating team members for promotions or special assignments.
Job Listings
Listing qualifications for senior or specialized roles.

最近の若者は、ITスキルの面で非常に能力の高い人が多い。(There are many young people these days who are highly capable in terms of IT skills.)

Beyond the professional sphere, you might hear this in documentaries or biographies when describing historical figures or geniuses. It carries a tone of respect and objective assessment. It is less likely to be heard in a casual chat between friends about a video game or a hobby, where words like umai (skillful) or sugoi (amazing) are more appropriate. However, if the conversation turns to someone's career prospects or their overall potential as a professional, nōryoku no takai becomes the natural choice. It provides a level of gravitas that simple adjectives lack, signaling that the speaker is making a serious judgment about someone's worth or talent.

彼は能力の高い経営者として知られている。(He is known as a highly capable business manager.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 能力の高い with jōzu na (skillful). While both describe someone doing something well, jōzu na is usually for specific, visible skills like speaking a language, playing an instrument, or cooking. Nōryoku no takai, on the other hand, refers to a more generalized, internal capacity or professional caliber. You wouldn't say someone is 'nōryoku no takai' at tennis; you'd say they are 'tenisu ga umai.' Use nōryoku no takai for broader concepts like management, problem-solving, or general professional competence. Another common error is using no when ending a sentence. You must say nōryoku ga takai when it is the main predicate.

Mistake: Nōryoku no takai desu
Correction: Nōryoku ga takai desu. (The 'no' is only for noun modification.)
Mistake: Cooking nōryoku no takai
Correction: Ryōri ga umai. (Use 'umai' or 'jōzu' for specific hobbies/tasks.)
Mistake: Nōryoku no hikui
Warning: While grammatically correct, this is very rude and should be used with extreme caution.

❌ 彼はテニスが能力が高い。 (Incorrect usage for sports skills.)

Learners also sometimes forget the kanji for nōryoku (能力). The first kanji nō (能) is the same one used in 'Noh' theater, representing talent or performance, while ryoku (力) is the kanji for 'power' or 'strength.' Writing them correctly is essential for B1 level proficiency. Finally, avoid overusing the phrase. While it is a high compliment, using it too often can make your speech sound like a HR manual. Mix it up with synonyms like yūshū na (excellent) or yūnō na (talented) to sound more natural and varied in your descriptions of people.

✅ 彼はビジネスにおいて非常に能力の高い人だ。(Correct: He is a very capable person in business.)

Japanese has several words to describe capability, each with a slightly different flavor. Understanding these differences is key to reaching B1 and B2 levels of fluency. While 能力の高い is broad and professional, yūnō na (有能な) focuses specifically on being 'able' or 'efficient' in a workplace context. Yūshū na (優秀な) is perhaps the most common alternative, often translated as 'excellent' or 'superior,' and is used for students with high grades or workers with top-tier performance. Dekiru (できる), which literally means 'can do,' is a more colloquial way to say someone is 'capable' or 'sharp' (e.g., dekiru hito).

有能な (Yūnō na)
Focuses on practical efficiency and talent. Often used for 'capable' employees.
優秀な (Yūshū na)
Focuses on being at the top of a group. Common for students and elite professionals.
卓越した (Takuetsu shita)
Formal and strong. Means 'outstanding' or 'preeminent.' Used for world-class experts.

彼女はクラスで最も優秀な学生だ。(She is the most excellent student in the class.)

Another interesting alternative is kiremono (切れ者), which describes someone who is 'sharp' or 'shrewd,' often in a tactical or business sense. If you want to emphasize that someone has a lot of 'potential' rather than just current ability, you might use potensharu no takai (ポテンシャルの高い). For someone who is physically or technically skilled in a craft, ude no ii (腕のいい - literally 'good arm') is the perfect idiomatic choice. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to sound formal, casual, or specifically focused on a certain type of excellence. Nōryoku no takai remains the safest, most versatile choice for formal descriptions of overall talent.

彼は非常に有能な弁護士だ。(He is a very capable/talented lawyer.)

Fun Fact

The kanji 'Nō' (能) is also the name of Japan's oldest theatrical art form, Noh. This is because the performers were required to have exceptional specialized 'ability.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK [nɔːɾʲokɯ no takai]
US [noʊrjoku noʊ tɑkaɪ]
Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'nōryoku', the accent is often on the 'no' (atama-daka) or flat (heiban). In 'takai', the pitch rises on 'ka'.
Rhymes With
Sakai Wakai Akai Hakai Nagai Negai Omoi Amai
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'ryo' as two syllables 'ri-yo'. It should be a single glide.
  • Stressing syllables like in English. Japanese syllables have equal length.
  • Mispronouncing 'no' as 'nu' or 'na'.
  • Failing to make the 'o' in 'nō' long enough.
  • Pronouncing 'takai' as 'taki' or 'takay'.
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Examples by Level

1

彼は能力の高い人です。

He is a highly capable person.

Simple A is B sentence structure.

2

能力の高い学生がいます。

There is a highly capable student.

Using the phrase to modify 'student'.

3

彼女は能力が高いです。

She is highly capable.

Predicative use with 'ga'.

4

能力の高いチームです。

It is a highly capable team.

Modifying a group noun.

5

その人は能力が高いですか？

Is that person highly capable?

Question form.

6

能力の高い先生に会いました。

I met a highly capable teacher.

Modifying 'teacher' in a past tense sentence.

7

能力の高い人はすごいです。

Highly capable people are amazing.

Topic marker 'wa' following the modified noun.

8

能力の高い友達がほしいです。

I want a highly capable friend.

Expressing desire with 'hoshii'.

1

能力の高いスタッフを探しています。

We are looking for highly capable staff.

Using '-te iru' for ongoing search.

2

彼は能力が高いので、仕事が早いです。

Because he is highly capable, his work is fast.

Using 'node' to show reason.

3

能力の高い人と一緒に働きたいです。

I want to work with highly capable people.

Using 'to issho ni' (together with).

4

彼女は能力の高いリーダーになるでしょう。

She will probably become a highly capable leader.

Using 'deshō' for probability.

5

もっと能力の高い人になりたいです。

I want to become a more highly capable person.

Using 'motto' (more) for comparison.

6

能力の高い人は、いつも忙しいです。

Highly capable people are always busy.

Generalizing about a group.

7

この会社には能力の高い人が多いです。

There are many highly capable people in this company.

Using 'ooi' (many).

8

能力の高い人は、難しい問題も解けます。

Highly capable people can solve difficult problems too.

Potential verb 'tokeru' (can solve).

1

能力の高い人材を確保することが重要です。

It is important to secure highly capable talent.

Noun phrase 'koto' as a subject.

2

能力の高い彼なら、この仕事を任せられます。

If it's him, who is highly capable, we can entrust this job to him.

Appositive-like use of 'nōryoku no takai'.

3

能力の高い社員には、ボーナスが支給されます。

Bonuses are paid to highly capable employees.

Passive voice 'shikyū saremasu'.

4

彼は能力が高いだけでなく、性格もいいです。

He is not only highly capable but also has a good personality.

Using 'dake de naku' (not only).

5

能力の高い人が集まれば、何でも可能です。

If highly capable people gather, anything is possible.

Conditional 'ba' form.

6

非常に能力の高いエンジニアがチームに加わった。

An extremely capable engineer joined the team.

Using 'hijō ni' as an intensifier.

7

能力の高い人は、自分の弱点も知っています。

Highly capable people also know their own weaknesses.

Reflexive pronoun 'jibun'.

8

彼は能力が高いと評判です。

He has a reputation for being highly capable.

Using 'to hyōban' (reputed to be).

1

能力の高い人材の流出が懸念されている。

The outflow of highly capable talent is being concerned.

Formal passive 'ken-en saretiru'.

2

彼は能力の高い若手として期待されている。

He is expected to succeed as a highly capable young person.

Using 'toshite' (as/in the capacity of).

3

能力の高い人ほど、謙虚であるべきだ。

The more capable a person is, the more humble they should be.

Using 'hodo' (the more...).

4

能力の高いスタッフを育成するためのプログラム。

A program for training highly capable staff.

Using 'tame no' (for the purpose of).

5

彼女の能力が高いことは疑いようがない。

There is no doubt that her ability is high.

Formal expression 'utagai yō ga nai'.

6

能力の高い個人が組織を動かす時代だ。

It is an era where highly capable individuals move organizations.

Relative clause modifying 'jidai' (era).

7

彼は能力が高いが、協調性に欠けるところがある。

He is highly capable, but he lacks cooperativeness in some areas.

Contrastive 'ga' and 'ni kakeru'.

8

能力の高い人材を適材適所に配置する。

Place highly capable talent in the right positions.

Four-character idiom 'tekizai tekisho'.

1

極めて能力の高い専門家たちがプロジェクトに結集した。

Exceedingly capable experts gathered for the project.

Using 'kiwamete' (exceedingly).

2

能力の高い人材をいかに活用するかが鍵となる。

How to utilize highly capable talent will be the key.

Using 'ikani... ka' (how...).

3

彼は能力の高い経営者として、数々の再建を成し遂げた。

As a highly capable manager, he achieved numerous turnarounds.

Formal verb 'nashitogeru'.

4

能力の高い個人が、既存の枠組みを打破していく。

Highly capable individuals will break down existing frameworks.

Using 'daha suru' (to break down).

5

学業成績だけでなく、潜在的に能力の高い生徒を評価する。

Evaluate students who are potentially highly capable, not just those with good grades.

Adverbial 'sen-zai teki ni' (potentially).

6

能力の高い層をターゲットにしたマーケティング戦略。

A marketing strategy targeting the highly capable segment.

Using 'sō' (segment/stratum).

7

彼は能力が高いゆえに、周囲からの期待も大きい。

Because he is highly capable, expectations from those around him are also great.

Formal reason 'yuen ni'.

8

能力の高い者が必ずしも幸福であるとは限らない。

Those who are highly capable are not necessarily happy.

Partial negation 'to wa kagiranai'.

1

卓越した見識を備えた、極めて能力の高い人物である。

He is an exceedingly capable person equipped with outstanding insight.

Combining multiple high-level modifiers.

2

能力の高い人材の偏在が、地域格差を助長している。

The uneven distribution of highly capable talent is exacerbating regional disparities.

Advanced vocabulary 'henzai' and 'jojo'.

3

彼は、能力の高い部下を使いこなす術を心得ている。

He knows the art of managing/utilizing highly capable subordinates.

Advanced verb 'tsukaikonasu' and 'kokoroete iru'.

4

能力の高い個人を組織の論理で縛るべきではない。

Highly capable individuals should not be bound by organizational logic.

Abstract concept 'soshiki no ronri'.

5

知的能力の高いAIの台頭が、労働市場に激変をもたらす。

The rise of highly intellectually capable AI will bring drastic changes to the labor market.

Compound modifier 'chi-teki nōryoku'.

6

能力の高い人材を惹きつける魅力的なビジョンが必要だ。

An attractive vision to draw in highly capable talent is necessary.

Using 'hikkitsukeru' (to attract).

7

彼は能力が高いと自負しているが、独りよがりな面も目立つ。

He prides himself on being highly capable, but his self-centered side is also prominent.

Using 'jifu suru' (to be proud of).

8

能力の高い市民が政治に参画することが、民主主義の根幹である。

The participation of highly capable citizens in politics is the foundation of democracy.

Formal noun 'konkan' (root/foundation).

Common Collocations

能力の高い人材
能力の高いリーダー
能力の高いエンジニア
能力の高いプロフェッショナル
潜在的に能力の高い
知的能力の高い
非常に能力の高い
能力の高いスタッフ
学力と能力の高い
能力の高い経営者

Common Phrases

能力の高い順に

— In order of high ability.

能力の高い順にチームを分ける。

能力の高い人ほど

— The more capable a person is...

能力の高い人ほど謙虚だ。

能力の高いとされる

— Considered to be highly capable.

彼は能力の高いとされる人物だ。

能力の高い人材の確保

— Securing highly capable talent.

能力の高い人材の確保が急務だ。

能力が高いと見なされる

— To be regarded as highly capable.

彼は周囲から能力が高いと見なされている。

能力の高い若手

— Highly capable young person.

能力の高い若手を積極的に採用する。

能力が高いと言わざるを得ない

— Cannot help but say they are highly capable.

彼の成果を見ると、能力が高いと言わざるを得ない。

能力の高い個人

— Highly capable individual.

能力の高い個人を尊重する。

能力の高い層

— Highly capable segment/group.

能力の高い層に向けたサービス。

能力の高い専門家

— Highly capable expert.

能力の高い専門家のアドバイスを受ける。

Idioms & Expressions

"能ある鷹は爪を隠す"

— A person of great ability does not show off. (Literally: The talented hawk hides its claws.)

彼は能ある鷹は爪を隠すタイプだ。

Proverb
"一目置かれる"

— To be recognized as superior or capable by others.

彼は能力の高いエンジニアとして一目置かれている。

Neutral
"腕を振るう"

— To display one's ability or skill fully.

彼は能力の高いシェフとして腕を振るった。

Neutral
"頭角を現す"

— To distinguish oneself; to stand out for one's ability.

彼は能力の高い若手として頭角を現した。

Formal
"多才な"

— Multi-talented; having many abilities.

彼は能力の高い、多才な人物だ。

Neutral
"太鼓判を押す"

— To give a guarantee of someone's ability or quality.

社長も彼の能力の高さに太鼓判を押した。

Idiomatic
"鼻にかける"

— To boast about one's ability (Negative).

彼は能力が高いが、それを鼻にかける。

Informal
"一皮むける"

— To reach a new level of ability or maturity.

彼は研修を経て、能力の高い社員として一皮むけた。

Neutral
"目が高い"

— To have an expert eye for quality or ability.

能力の高い人を見抜くとは、君も目が高いね。

Neutral
"引く手あまた"

— To be in great demand due to high ability.

能力の高い彼は、どの会社からも引く手あまただ。

Neutral

Word Family

Nouns

能力 (Ability)
能率 (Efficiency)
才能 (Talent)
機能 (Function)

Verbs

能力を伸ばす (To improve ability)
能力を活かす (To use one's ability)

Adjectives

高い (High)
有能な (Capable)
多能な (Versatile)

Related

実力
技量
手腕
力量
素質
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Nō' as 'Know' (to have knowledge) and 'Ryoku' as 'Rock' (strength). A person who 'Knows Rocks' is highly capable! Plus 'Takai' sounds like 'Tie' (a high-flying tie in a business suit).

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing on top of a giant battery (representing power/ability) that is very tall (high).

Word Web

Business Skill Talent High Professional Recruitment Success Promotion

Challenge

Try to find three LinkedIn profiles of people you admire and describe them in Japanese using 'nōryoku no takai'.

Word Origin

Composed of 'Nō' (能 - meaning talent, performance, or ability) and 'Ryoku' (力 - meaning power, strength, or force). The kanji 'Nō' originally depicted a bear, symbolizing strength and ability. 'Ryoku' depicted a plow, representing the physical power needed for labor.

Original meaning: The phrase literally translates to 'Ability is high.'

Sinitic origin (Kango) for 'Nōryoku', combined with a native Japanese adjective 'Takai'.

Cultural Context

In English, we might say 'highly skilled' or 'very talented.' 'Highly capable' is a bit more formal, just like the Japanese phrase.

Commonly used in 'Business Japanese' textbooks. Heard in workplace dramas like 'Hanzawa Naoki'. Found in HR manuals and recruitment sites like Recruit or Doda.
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