gute Kenntnisse

You will almost always use this with the verb haben (to have). Interestingly, Germans use the plural form Kenntnisse. It’s like saying you have many little pieces of knowledge. You can say Ich habe gute Kenntnisse in Excel. Or maybe Sie hat gute Kenntnisse der deutschen Sprache. Just remember to pair it with the preposition in or a genitive object. It’s a very versatile phrase for your toolbox.

This is the superstar phrase for your CV or resume. Use it when applying for jobs or internships. It’s also great for social situations when someone asks about your hobbies. Are you a decent photographer? Say you have gute Kenntnisse. Did you take three years of French in school? That’s gute Kenntnisse. It sounds humble yet very capable. It’s perfect for professional networking events too.

Don't use this if you just started learning something yesterday. That would be Grundkenntnisse (basic knowledge). Also, avoid it if you are literally the world's leading expert. In that case, use hervorragende Kenntnisse (excellent knowledge). If you use gute Kenntnisse for something you barely know, a German boss will find out quickly. Germans value honesty about skill levels. Don't undersell yourself, but don't overpromise either.

Germans take their certifications and skill levels very seriously. On a German 'Lebenslauf' (CV), there is a specific hierarchy of knowledge. 'Gut' is a very respectable rating in Germany. It’s not just 'okay' like it can be in some cultures. It implies you have had formal training or significant experience. It reflects the German value of 'Gründlichkeit'—being thorough and well-prepared.

You can spice this up with adverbs. Sehr gute Kenntnisse means you’re almost an expert. Fundierte Kenntnisse sounds even more professional and deep. If you want to be modest, you might say ausbaufähige Kenntnisse. That means your skills are 'expandable' or 'room for improvement.' It’s a polite way to say you’re still learning. Always keep the 'e' at the end of Kenntnisse!