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A2 adjective 11 min read

competente

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips competente in 30 Seconds

Explanation competente in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'competente' as a simple adjective to describe people who are good at their jobs. It is easy to use because it doesn't change between masculine and feminine. You can use it to describe your teacher ('Meu professor é competente'), your doctor ('O médico é competente'), or your friend ('Minha amiga é competente'). At this stage, focus on the basic sentence structure: [Subject] + [Verb Ser] + competente. This helps you build descriptive skills without worrying about complex grammar. It is a positive word that you can use to give compliments in a professional or formal setting. Remember that the plural is 'competentes'. Even if you don't use it often yet, recognizing it when others speak will help you understand when someone is being praised for their work. It's a useful word for basic introductions and describing people in your community.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'competente' in more varied contexts, such as describing workplace skills or comparing people's abilities. You should be able to use adverbs like 'muito' or 'bastante' to intensify the meaning ('Ele é muito competente'). You will also encounter it in job-related vocabulary. For example, when talking about a 'currículo' (resume), you might say someone is a 'candidato competente'. You should also learn the opposite, 'incompetente', to describe poor service. At this level, you start to understand that 'competente' isn't just about being 'nice' or 'good', but about having specific skills. You can use it to talk about past experiences ('O antigo gerente era muito competente'). This level also introduces the idea of 'competência' (competence) as a noun. You might hear people say 'Ele tem competência para o cargo'. Practice using it with different professions like 'advogado', 'engenheiro', and 'secretária' to see how the adjective remains the same regardless of gender.

At the B1 level, you can use 'competente' to express more nuanced opinions and handle more complex social and professional situations. You might use it in a debate about politics or company management ('Acho que a diretoria não foi competente na gestão dos lucros'). You will also start using the comparative and superlative forms ('Ela é a profissional mais competente que eu conheço'). At this stage, you should be comfortable using 'competente' with prepositions, specifically 'em' ('Ele é competente em informática'). You can also use it to describe abstract things like a 'trabalho competente' (a job well done) or a 'gestão competente'. You should be able to distinguish 'competente' from 'capaz' and 'habilidoso' in conversation. This level requires you to use the word in the subjunctive mood as well, such as in sentences like 'Espero que eles contratem alguém competente'. Your understanding of the word expands from simple description to evaluation and requirement.

At the B2 level, 'competente' becomes a tool for professional evaluation and formal argumentation. you will encounter it in legal and administrative contexts, such as 'autoridade competente' or 'órgão competente'. You should understand the specific legal implications of these terms—referring to the entity with the right jurisdiction. You can use 'competente' to discuss systemic issues, like 'falta de profissionais competentes no mercado'. You should also be able to use the absolute superlative 'competentíssimo' in formal writing or speech for emphasis. At this level, you are expected to understand the nuance between being 'competente' (having the skill) and being 'idôneo' (having the integrity). You can write professional emails or reports using the word to justify hiring decisions or evaluate project outcomes. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like 'incompetência' and 'competitividade', ensuring you don't confuse them. This level moves beyond the person and starts looking at the quality of actions and institutional authority.

At the C1 level, you use 'competente' with precision in specialized fields like law, medicine, or academic research. You understand the philosophical and technical definitions of competence. For instance, in linguistics, you might discuss 'competência linguística'. In a legal context, you can argue about whether a court is 'relativamente competente' or 'absolutamente competente'. You can use the word in complex sentence structures, including those with relative clauses and sophisticated connectors ('Embora seja um técnico competente, sua falta de habilidades interpessoais prejudica a equipe'). You should be able to analyze the word's usage in literature and formal speeches, noting how its placement can alter the tone. You also understand the socio-cultural implications of the word in different Lusophone countries—how 'competência' is valued in a meritocratic framework versus a more traditional one. Your use of 'competente' is now effortless and integrated into a wide range of registers, from high-level academic discourse to nuanced professional critiques.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'competente' is total. You can use it to navigate the most subtle linguistic situations, including irony, sarcasm, or highly technical legal disputes. You understand the historical evolution of the word from Latin and how it relates to concepts of 'competition' and 'competing interests' in archaic texts. You can engage in deep discussions about 'competência profissional' in the era of artificial intelligence, or the 'competência tributária' of different levels of government. You can use the word in creative writing to build complex characters whose 'competence' is a central theme. You are aware of the rarest synonyms and can explain the minute differences between 'competente', 'proficiente', 'conhecedor', and 'douto'. Your ability to use the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, and you can even correct others on its legal or technical misuse. 'Competente' is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a conceptual tool you use to dissect and describe the world with absolute precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

competente in 30 Seconds

Competente means having the necessary skills or knowledge to perform a task successfully. It is widely used in professional and legal contexts across the Portuguese-speaking world.
Grammatically, it is a gender-neutral adjective (ending in -e) and only changes for plural (competentes). It usually follows the noun it modifies in a sentence.
It is a high compliment in a work environment, suggesting reliability, mastery, and autonomy. It is more specific and professional than the general word 'bom' (good).
Commonly confused with 'competitivo' (competitive), 'competente' strictly refers to skill and ability. In legal terms, it refers to jurisdiction and official authority.

The Portuguese adjective competente is a fundamental word used to describe someone who possesses the necessary skills, knowledge, and efficiency to perform a task or role effectively. Unlike some adjectives that might focus solely on effort or personality, 'competente' specifically targets the outcome and the technical ability of the individual. In a professional context, being called 'competente' is one of the highest compliments one can receive in the Lusophone world, as it implies reliability and mastery. Whether you are in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, or Mozambique, the word carries a weight of professional respect and social trust. It is used to describe doctors, lawyers, mechanics, and teachers alike. When you use this word, you are making a judgment about someone's capability to meet the requirements of a specific challenge. It is not just about being 'good' at something; it is about having the 'competence'—the legal or technical standing—to execute it.

Professional Context: In the workplace, a 'funcionário competente' is someone who delivers results without needing constant supervision. It suggests a high degree of autonomy and technical proficiency.

Precisamos contratar um engenheiro que seja verdadeiramente competente para este projeto complexo.

Institutional Use: In legal and administrative language, 'autoridade competente' refers to the specific body or person that has the legal power to make a decision or take an action.

Ela é a profissional mais competente da nossa equipe de marketing.

Nuance of Ability: While 'capaz' means someone can do something, 'competente' implies they do it with a high level of expertise and consistency.

O juiz considerou o réu mentalmente competente para enfrentar o julgamento.

Um professor competente sabe motivar seus alunos além de apenas ensinar a matéria.

A gestão competente dos recursos naturais é vital para o futuro do planeta.

The word also appears frequently in discussions about citizenship and social responsibility. A 'cidadão competente' is one who understands their rights and duties. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between technical skill and ethical behavior. In summary, 'competente' is about the sufficiency of means to an end. It describes the state of being fully qualified. It is a word of validation and assurance, used when you want to emphasize that someone is not just a participant, but a master of their craft or role.

Using competente correctly in Portuguese involves understanding its position, its agreement with nouns, and its intensification. As an adjective, it typically follows the noun it modifies, which is the standard word order in Portuguese. For example, 'um médico competente' (a competent doctor). However, placing it before the noun, 'um competente médico', can occur in more formal or literary contexts to add emphasis or a poetic flair, though this is less common in everyday speech. One of the most important grammatical features of 'competente' is that it is a uniform adjective regarding gender. This means it has only one form for both masculine and feminine nouns. You say 'o homem competente' and 'a mulher competente'. The only change it undergoes is for number; to make it plural, you add '-s', resulting in 'competentes'. For example, 'os profissionais competentes' or 'as médicas competentes'.

Adverbial Intensification: To say someone is 'very competent', you can use 'muito competente' or 'extremamente competente'. In Brazil, you might also hear 'super competente' in informal settings.

A secretária é extremamente competente e organiza tudo perfeitamente.

Comparative and Superlative: To compare, use 'mais competente que' (more competent than). For the absolute superlative, you can use 'competentíssimo', though this is quite formal.

Este novo software é competente o suficiente para lidar com grandes volumes de dados.

Eles são alunos muito competentes e sempre entregam os trabalhos no prazo.

Negative Usage: To express the opposite, you can use 'incompetente'. It is a strong word, often used as a critique of someone's failure to perform their duties.

O governo foi pouco competente na gestão da crise econômica.

Para ser um líder competente, é preciso saber ouvir a equipe.

Ela procurou uma advogada competente para resolver o caso de herança.

In academic writing, 'competente' is frequently used to describe methodologies or theoretical frameworks that are adequate for the research question. In conversational Portuguese, it is often used as a synonym for 'good at what they do'. When you want to recommend someone's services, saying 'Ele é muito competente' is a standard and very effective way to vouch for them. It bridges the gap between a simple 'he is good' and a formal 'he is highly qualified'. Mastery of this word allows you to navigate professional evaluations and personal recommendations with ease, ensuring your descriptions of people's abilities are precise and culturally appropriate.

The word competente is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking societies, appearing in diverse settings ranging from corporate boardrooms to local clinics. In the workplace, it is a staple of performance reviews and job interviews. Recruiters look for 'candidatos competentes' who can hit the ground running. You will hear managers discussing the 'competência' of their team members, assessing who is ready for a promotion based on their demonstrated skills. In the legal sphere, 'competente' has a very specific meaning regarding jurisdiction. A 'tribunal competente' is the court that has the legal authority to hear a particular case. If a lawyer says a court is 'incompetente', they aren't necessarily saying the judges are bad at their jobs, but rather that the court doesn't have the legal right to preside over that specific matter.

In the Media: News anchors often use the word when reporting on government actions or the appointment of new officials, evaluating whether the chosen individual is 'competente' for the post.

A imprensa questionou se o novo ministro era competente para assumir a pasta da economia.

Daily Life: When asking for recommendations for a mechanic or a plumber, people often ask: 'Você conhece alguém competente?' (Do you know someone competent?).

Preciso de um mecânico competente para consertar o freio do meu carro.

O diretor elogiou a equipe pelo trabalho competente realizado durante a auditoria.

Education: Teachers use the term to describe students who have mastered the required curriculum or 'competências' for a particular grade level.

O aluno demonstrou ser competente na resolução de problemas complexos de física.

A empresa busca profissionais competentes e comprometidos com a inovação.

Ela é reconhecida como uma das cientistas mais competentes em sua área de atuação.

In healthcare, patients look for 'médicos competentes' who can provide accurate diagnoses. In the tech world, developers are evaluated on their 'competência técnica' in specific programming languages. Essentially, anywhere there is a standard to be met or a skill to be applied, 'competente' will be the word used to measure the person against that standard. It is a word that conveys stability, reliability, and the successful application of knowledge in the real world.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning Portuguese is confusing the word competente with 'competitivo'. While they share the same Latin root, their meanings in modern Portuguese are distinct. 'Competente' means having the ability or skill to do something (competent), whereas 'competitivo' means having a strong desire to be more successful than others (competitive) or relating to competition. For example, if you say 'O mercado é muito competente', you are saying the market is skilled, which sounds strange. You likely mean 'O mercado é muito competitivo' (The market is very competitive). Another common error is regarding gender agreement. Since many Portuguese adjectives end in '-o' or '-a', learners often try to create a feminine version of 'competente' by saying 'competenta'. This is incorrect. 'Competente' is a 'uniforme' adjective, meaning it has one form for both genders.

The 'Competenta' Trap: Never say 'Ela é competenta'. The correct form is 'Ela é competente'. Adjectives ending in -e do not change for gender.

A engenheira é muito competente (Correct) vs. A engenheira é muito competenta (Incorrect).

Confusion with 'Capaz': While 'capaz' and 'competente' are similar, 'capaz' is more about potential or basic ability, while 'competente' implies a proven track record of skill.

Ele é capaz de fazer o serviço, mas não é um profissional competente.

Não confunda: competente (skilled) com competitivo (eager to win).

Preposition Errors: Using 'competente com' instead of 'competente em'. In Portuguese, you are competent *in* a field (em), not *with* it.

Ela é competente em línguas estrangeiras.

Os diretores foram competentes ao lidar com a greve.

Um erro comum é usar 'competente' para descrever um objeto; geralmente, usamos para pessoas ou órgãos.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'incompetente'. In English, 'incompetent' is an insult, but in Portuguese, it can be even harsher, often implying a total lack of worth in a professional role. Use it sparingly. Conversely, overusing 'competente' can make your speech sound a bit repetitive or overly formal; try to vary with synonyms like 'habilidoso' or 'eficiente' when appropriate. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native and avoid the common pitfalls that trap many beginners.

While competente is a versatile and widely used term, Portuguese offers a rich variety of synonyms and related words that can provide more specific nuances depending on the context. Understanding these alternatives will help you refine your descriptions of people's abilities. For instance, 'capaz' is a close synonym but often implies a more general ability or potential rather than specialized expertise. 'Eficiente' focuses on the ability to achieve results with minimal waste of time or effort. 'Habilidoso' suggests manual dexterity or a specific talent, often in crafts or sports. 'Qualificado' implies that the person has the necessary certifications or formal training for a role. 'Apto' is frequently used in medical or physical contexts to mean 'fit' or 'ready'.

Competente vs. Capaz: 'Competente' implies high-level skill; 'capaz' implies the person is simply able to do it.

Ele é competente no que faz, mas não é muito criativo.

Competente vs. Qualificado: 'Qualificado' refers to diplomas and certificates; 'competente' refers to actual performance.

Ela é altamente competente, apesar de não ter um diploma formal.

O técnico foi muito competente ao identificar o problema no servidor.

Formal Alternatives: In formal writing, words like 'proficiente' or 'idôneo' might be used, though they are much rarer than 'competente'.

Demonstrou ser um profissional competente e de inteira confiança.

Para este cargo, buscamos alguém que seja competente e proativo.

A equipe de resgate foi extremamente competente durante a operação.

In summary, while 'competente' is your 'go-to' word for describing skill and adequacy, being aware of 'capaz', 'eficiente', 'habilidoso', and 'qualificado' will allow you to be much more precise. For example, a 'médico competente' is good at medicine, but a 'médico habilidoso' might be specifically praised for their surgical precision. A 'secretária eficiente' is praised for her speed and organization, while a 'secretária competente' is praised for her overall professional mastery. Choosing the right word demonstrates your own 'competência' in the Portuguese language.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'competente' and 'competição' share the same root. While 'competente' focuses on being 'fit' for a task, 'competição' focuses on 'seeking together'—i.e., multiple people aiming for the same goal.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kõ.pe.ˈtẽ.tɨ/

US /kõ.pe.ˈtẽ.tʃi/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: com-pe-TEN-te.

Rhymes With

ausente contente doente frente gente mente presente quente

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'e' like the English 'ee' in 'see'.
Missing the nasalization of the first 'o' and the second 'e'.
Stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., the first or last).
Failing to palatalize the 't' in Brazilian Portuguese.
Pronouncing it like the English word 'competent' without the final vowel.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'competent'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering it is gender-neutral and the plural 'competentes'.

Speaking 3/5

Nasal vowels and the 'te' ending (especially in Brazil) require practice.

Listening 2/5

Clear stress on the penultimate syllable makes it easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

trabalho bom fazer pessoa profissional

Learn Next

competência habilidade qualificado eficiente perito

Advanced

jurisdição idoneidade proficiência atribuição outorga

Grammar to Know

Gender-Neutral Adjectives

Adjectives ending in '-e' like 'competente', 'inteligente', and 'forte' do not change for gender.

Pluralization of Adjectives in '-e'

Simply add '-s': competente -> competentes.

Adjective Placement

Usually after the noun: 'médico competente'. Before the noun adds emphasis: 'competente médico'.

Intensifiers with Adjectives

Use 'muito', 'bastante', or 'extremamente' before the adjective.

The Absolute Superlative

Add '-íssimo' to the stem: competentíssimo (very, very competent).

Examples by Level

O meu professor é muito competente.

My teacher is very competent.

Subject + Verb Ser + Adjective.

Ela é uma médica competente.

She is a competent doctor.

Notice 'competente' doesn't change for the feminine 'médica'.

O mecânico é competente.

The mechanic is competent.

Simple description of a professional.

Eles são alunos competentes.

They are competent students.

Plural form: add 's' to 'competente'.

Você é muito competente.

You are very competent.

Direct compliment using 'você'.

A secretária é competente.

The secretary is competent.

Feminine subject with the invariant adjective.

Nós somos competentes.

We are competent.

First person plural with plural adjective.

O guia turístico é competente.

The tour guide is competent.

Using 'competente' to describe a service.

Eu procuro um advogado competente.

I am looking for a competent lawyer.

Using the verb 'procurar' (to look for).

A equipe de vendas é bastante competente.

The sales team is quite competent.

'Bastante' is used here as an intensifier (quite/very).

Ele não é um funcionário competente.

He is not a competent employee.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

Minha irmã é uma engenheira competente.

My sister is a competent engineer.

Professional description in a family context.

O trabalho foi feito de forma competente.

The work was done in a competent way.

Adverbial phrase 'de forma competente'.

Precisamos de pessoas competentes aqui.

We need competent people here.

Plural usage in a general statement.

O novo gerente parece ser competente.

The new manager seems to be competent.

Using the verb 'parecer' (to seem).

Ela é a mais competente da empresa.

She is the most competent in the company.

Relative superlative form.

É importante que o governo seja competente.

It is important that the government be competent.

Subjunctive mood: 'seja competente'.

Ele é competente em várias áreas da ciência.

He is competent in several areas of science.

Preposition 'em' for fields of expertise.

Apesar de jovem, ela é muito competente.

Despite being young, she is very competent.

Concessive clause with 'apesar de'.

O projeto exige uma liderança competente.

The project requires competent leadership.

Describing an abstract noun (liderança).

Eles agiram de maneira muito competente.

They acted in a very competent manner.

Adverbial use: 'de maneira competente'.

Se você for competente, terá sucesso.

If you are competent, you will have success.

Future subjunctive: 'se você for'.

Não basta ser esforçado, é preciso ser competente.

It's not enough to be hardworking, one must be competent.

Contrast between two adjectives.

A empresa valoriza profissionais competentes.

The company values competent professionals.

Direct object with adjective.

O caso foi encaminhado à autoridade competente.

The case was referred to the competent authority.

Formal/Legal term: 'autoridade competente'.

A gestão competente evitou a falência da fábrica.

The competent management prevented the factory's bankruptcy.

Describing the cause of a result.

Ele é um técnico extremamente competente.

He is an extremely competent technician.

Use of the adverb 'extremamente'.

Sua competência é reconhecida internacionalmente.

Your competence is recognized internationally.

Noun form: 'competência'.

O tribunal declarou-se incompetente para o julgamento.

The court declared itself incompetent for the trial.

Legal use of 'incompetente' (lack of jurisdiction).

Buscamos um equilíbrio entre ser competitivo e competente.

We seek a balance between being competitive and competent.

Distinguishing between two related words.

A análise foi feita por um perito competente.

The analysis was made by a competent expert.

Passive voice with 'por'.

Ela demonstrou ser uma líder competente e ética.

She proved to be a competent and ethical leader.

Coordinated adjectives.

A falta de um órgão competente atrasou o processo.

The lack of a competent body delayed the process.

Institutional 'órgão competente'.

É imperativo que tenhamos uma gestão competente dos recursos.

It is imperative that we have competent management of resources.

Formal structure: 'É imperativo que'.

O autor é competente na articulação de suas ideias.

The author is competent in the articulation of his ideas.

Describing intellectual skill.

A decisão cabe exclusivamente ao juiz competente.

The decision rests solely with the competent judge.

Emphasizing jurisdiction.

Sua abordagem, embora competente, carece de originalidade.

Your approach, although competent, lacks originality.

Concessive clause with 'embora'.

A competência técnica não exclui a necessidade de empatia.

Technical competence does not exclude the need for empathy.

Noun as subject in a philosophical statement.

O relatório apresenta uma visão competente do mercado atual.

The report presents a competent view of the current market.

Describing the quality of an analysis.

Eles são tidos como os profissionais mais competentes do setor.

They are regarded as the most competent professionals in the sector.

Passive structure 'são tidos como'.

A competência tributária é dividida entre os entes federativos.

Tax competence is divided among the federative entities.

Highly technical legal/economic term.

O réu foi considerado plenamente competente para os atos da vida civil.

The defendant was considered fully competent for the acts of civil life.

Legal capacity definition.

A obra é um exemplo competente da prosa modernista.

The work is a competent example of modernist prose.

Literary criticism usage.

Sua atuação foi competente, conquanto não tenha sido brilhante.

His performance was competent, although it wasn't brilliant.

Use of the formal conjunction 'conquanto'.

A delimitação da esfera competente é objeto de controvérsia jurídica.

The delimitation of the competent sphere is the subject of legal controversy.

Abstract legal discussion.

A competência linguística pressupõe o domínio da gramática normativa.

Linguistic competence presupposes mastery of normative grammar.

Academic/Linguistic definition.

O governo demonstrou-se pouco competente na resolução do impasse.

The government showed itself to be little competent in resolving the impasse.

Pronominal verb 'demonstrar-se'.

A busca pela gestão competente é o cerne da reforma administrativa.

The search for competent management is the core of administrative reform.

Political science context.

Common Collocations

autoridade competente

profissional competente

extremamente competente

gestão competente

órgão competente

técnico competente

liderança competente

parecer competente

competente o suficiente

equipe competente

Common Phrases

Ele é o cara competente.

— Informal way to say he is the right, skilled person for the job.

Se você quer o trabalho bem feito, ele é o cara competente.

Mãos competentes.

— Refers to leaving a task in the care of someone skilled.

O projeto está em mãos competentes agora.

Agiu como um profissional competente.

— Describing someone who handled a situation with professional skill.

Mesmo sob pressão, ele agiu como um profissional competente.

Busca por profissionais competentes.

— Standard phrase in job advertisements.

Nossa empresa está em busca por profissionais competentes.

Considerado competente.

— Formally judged to have the required ability.

O réu foi considerado competente para o julgamento.

Ser competente no que faz.

— To be good at one's specific craft or job.

O mais importante é ser competente no que faz.

Prova de competência.

— An act or exam that demonstrates one's skill.

O teste prático foi uma verdadeira prova de competência.

Reconhecidamente competente.

— Widely known and accepted as being skilled.

Ela é uma médica reconhecidamente competente.

Mais do que competente.

— Exceeding the required skill level.

Ele provou ser mais do que competente para o desafio.

Falta de pessoal competente.

— A common complaint about labor shortages.

O setor sofre com a falta de pessoal competente.

Often Confused With

competente vs competitivo

Means 'competitive' (desiring to win), not 'competent' (skilled).

competente vs capaz

Means 'capable' (has the potential), while 'competente' implies proven skill.

competente vs concorrente

Means 'competitor' (the person you are competing against).

Idioms & Expressions

"Dar conta do recado"

— To be competent enough to handle a task successfully.

Não se preocupe, ela dá conta do recado.

informal

"Saber onde pisa"

— To be competent and knowledgeable about a situation.

Ele é um negociador que sabe onde pisa.

informal

"Ter as manhas"

— To have the 'tricks' or specific competence for something.

Esse mecânico tem as manhas de carros antigos.

slang (Brazil)

"Vestir a camisa"

— To be competent and fully committed to a cause or company.

Ele é competente e realmente veste a camisa da empresa.

informal

"Falar com propriedade"

— To speak with the competence of an expert.

Ela fala com propriedade sobre física quântica.

neutral

"Matar a cobra e mostrar o pau"

— To prove one's competence by showing the results of a difficult task.

Ele disse que resolveria e resolveu: matou a cobra e mostrou o pau.

informal/idiom

"Ser pau para toda obra"

— To be competent in many different types of tasks (Jack of all trades).

O caseiro é pau para toda obra, muito competente.

informal

"Bater o martelo"

— To make a final, competent decision (often by an authority).

O juiz competente finalmente bateu o martelo.

informal

"Estar à altura"

— To be competent enough to meet a challenge or expectation.

Espero que o novo diretor esteja à altura do cargo.

neutral

"Ter o queijo e a faca na mão"

— To have the competence and the resources to decide or act.

Com esse orçamento, o gerente tem o queijo e a faca na mão.

informal

Easily Confused

competente vs competitivo

They look similar and share a root.

Competitivo refers to the spirit of competition or a market environment. Competente refers to an individual's skill level.

O mercado é competitivo, mas o gerente é competente.

competente vs habilidoso

Both mean 'skilled'.

Habilidoso is often more about manual/natural talent. Competente is more about professional mastery and consistency.

Ele é um jogador habilidoso, mas não é um profissional competente.

competente vs qualificado

Both relate to being good for a job.

Qualificado usually means you have the papers/diplomas. Competente means you actually do the job well.

Ele é qualificado, mas não se mostrou competente na prática.

competente vs apto

Both mean 'fit' for a task.

Apto often refers to a state of readiness or health. Competente refers to skill and knowledge.

Ele está apto para o serviço militar, mas não é competente para liderar.

competente vs eficiente

Both are positive workplace adjectives.

Eficiente is about speed and resources. Competente is about the overall quality and legality of the action.

A máquina é eficiente, mas o operador é competente.

Sentence Patterns

[Nome] é competente.

O Pedro é competente.

Eu preciso de um [Substantivo] competente.

Eu preciso de um encanador competente.

Ela é competente em [Área].

Ela é competente em design gráfico.

O [Substantivo] foi feito de forma competente.

O relatório foi feito de forma competente.

Embora seja competente, [Oposição].

Embora seja competente, ele é muito arrogante.

Cabe à autoridade competente [Verbo].

Cabe à autoridade competente decidir o caso.

A competência [Adjetivo Técnico] de [Sujeito].

A competência tributária do município é limitada.

Demonstrar-se competente ante [Desafio].

O governo demonstrou-se competente ante a crise.

Word Family

Nouns

competência

incompetência

competidor

Verbs

competir

Adjectives

competente

incompetente

competitivo

competência

competição

competitividade

competente

competidor

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

A secretária é competenta. → A secretária é competente.
Adjectives ending in -e are the same for both masculine and feminine nouns.
O mercado é muito competente. → O mercado é muito competitivo.
Competente refers to skill; competitivo refers to competition.
Ele é competente com informática. → Ele é competente em informática.
In Portuguese, the preposition 'em' is used to indicate the field of competence.
Eles são muito competente. → Eles são muito competentes.
Adjectives must agree in number with the noun they modify.
Eu busco um competente advogado. → Eu busco um advogado competente.
While not strictly wrong, putting the adjective before the noun is less natural in common speech.

Tips

Gender Neutrality

Remember that adjectives ending in -e do not change for gender. This will save you from making mistakes like 'competenta'.

Avoid False Friends

Don't use 'competente' when you mean 'competitive'. Use 'competitivo' for competition-related contexts.

Resumes

Use 'competente em' to list your skills. It sounds professional and confident.

Compliments

In Brazil and Portugal, calling someone 'competente' is a very high compliment for their work ethic and skill.

Jurisdiction

When dealing with documents, look for the phrase 'autoridade competente' to know where to go.

Nasal Vowels

The 'm' in 'com-' and the 'n' in '-ten-' are not fully pronounced; they nasalize the preceding vowel.

Word Order

Place 'competente' after the noun for standard descriptions. 'Um médico competente' is the natural way to say it.

Synonym Variety

Try to learn 'habilidoso' and 'eficiente' alongside 'competente' to vary your descriptions.

Recommendations

When recommending a service, say 'Ele é muito competente' to give a strong endorsement.

Absolute Superlative

Use 'competentíssimo' only in very formal or emphatic contexts; it sounds a bit exaggerated for daily use.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'COMPETENT' person as someone who has the 'COMPLETE' set of skills to 'TENT' (tend) to a problem.

Visual Association

Imagine a doctor with many certificates on the wall, successfully performing a complex surgery. That is a 'médico competente'.

Word Web

Habilidade Trabalho Sucesso Profissional Legal Conhecimento Eficácia Autoridade

Challenge

Try to describe three people you know using the word 'competente' and explain why they earn that title in Portuguese.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'competens, competentis', which is the present participle of 'competere'. The Latin root 'competere' means 'to meet, to agree, to be suitable'. It is composed of 'com-' (together) and 'petere' (to seek, to aim for).

Original meaning: Originally, it meant 'meeting together' or 'coinciding', which evolved into 'being fit' or 'suitable' for a specific purpose.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'incompetente' as it is a very strong personal and professional insult in Portuguese.

In English, 'competent' can sometimes sound like 'just enough' (e.g., 'he's a competent pianist' might mean he's okay but not great). In Portuguese, 'competente' is generally a stronger, more positive endorsement of high-level skill.

Machado de Assis often uses 'competente' to describe characters of social standing in his novels. Legal codes in Brazil (Código Civil) and Portugal frequently use 'autoridade competente'. Management books in Portuguese (like those by Idalberto Chiavenato) extensively discuss 'gestão por competências'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interview

Sou um profissional competente.
Busco uma equipe competente.
Demonstrei ser competente em vendas.
Minha competência técnica é alta.

Legal Matters

A autoridade competente decidiu.
O tribunal é competente?
Falta de competência jurídica.
Dentro da esfera competente.

Medical Context

Um médico competente.
Tratamento competente.
Enfermeiras competentes.
Diagnóstico competente.

Education

Professor competente.
Aluno competente.
Competência linguística.
Avaliação de competências.

Customer Service

Atendimento competente.
Suporte técnico competente.
Serviço pouco competente.
Funcionário muito competente.

Conversation Starters

"Você conhece algum mecânico competente por aqui?"

"O que torna um professor realmente competente na sua opinião?"

"Você se considera uma pessoa competente em qual área?"

"É difícil encontrar profissionais competentes hoje em dia?"

"Como a empresa avalia se um funcionário é competente?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma vez em que você teve que ser muito competente para resolver um problema difícil.

Quais são as três qualidades que um líder competente deve ter?

Você prefere trabalhar com alguém que é muito competente ou alguém que é muito amigável?

Como você pode se tornar mais competente na língua portuguesa este mês?

Escreva sobre um profissional competente que você admira muito.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'competente' is gender-neutral. You say 'o homem competente' and 'a mulher competente'. This is true for most Portuguese adjectives ending in -e.

'Capaz' is more general and refers to the possibility of doing something. 'Competente' is more professional and implies a high level of skill and reliability. For example, a child might be 'capaz' of cleaning a room, but a professional cleaner is 'competente'.

You can say 'muito competente', 'bastante competente', or the more formal 'extremamente competente'. In very formal writing, you can use 'competentíssimo'.

No. This is a common mistake. 'Competitive' is 'competitivo' in Portuguese. 'Competente' only means 'skilled' or 'capable'.

It is a legal term referring to the specific official or government body that has the legal power to handle a specific case or issue. It is used frequently in bureaucracy.

Simply add an 's' at the end: 'competentes'. For example: 'Eles são profissionais competentes'.

Usually, 'competente' is used for people, groups, or institutions. For objects or software, words like 'eficiente' or 'eficaz' are more common, though you might hear it used figuratively for a very good tool.

Use 'em'. For example: 'Ela é competente em matemática' (She is competent in math).

It is not a 'swear word', but it is a very strong professional insult. Use it with caution as it can be very offensive to someone's professional pride.

In Brazil, the 'te' at the end usually sounds like 'tchee'. The first 'o' and the second 'e' are nasalized: [kõ-pe-tẽ-tchee].