habilidades
/abilidades/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'abilities' is translated into Spanish as habilidades.
If you want to say you have skill in something, you can use the phrase tener habilidad en.
Which one should you use?
While habilidades refers to learned skills or talents, the word capacidades is often used to refer to innate capacities or the potential to perform a task.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of habilidades is habilidad. To show inability, you add the negative adverb no before the verb poder.
How do you pronounce it?
/abilidades/
Did you know?
- The phrase tener mano (to have hand) is sometimes used idiomatically in different Spanish-speaking regions to suggest someone has a natural ability or 'touch' for a specific task.
- The word habilidad shares a root with hábil, which in some contexts can describe a person who is 'resourceful' or 'shrewd' in a slightly suspicious way.
- In professional contexts, the term competencias is frequently used instead of habilidades to describe the set of abilities required for a specific job.
Examples in context
- Tom tiene habilidades psíquicas.Tom has psychic abilities.This sentence is useful for describing someone who has psychic abilities.Tatoeba #7783094 by Eremon, translation #2644409 by CK
- Confío por completo en sus habilidades.I completely trust your abilities.This sentence is useful for expressing complete trust in someone's abilities.Tatoeba #7790491 by Eremon, translation #1063438 by leonardo
- Layla creía que tenía habilidades psíquicas.Layla believed that she had psychic abilities.This sentence is useful for describing someone who believed they had psychic abilities.Tatoeba #8267184 by Eremon, translation #6055940 by OsoHombre
- ¿Puede hablar inglés?Can you speak English?
- ¿Puedes nadar bien?Can you swim well?
- Sé tocar el piano.I know how to play the piano.
- Aprendí a bailar salsa.I learned how to dance salsa.
- Es una nadadora habilidosa.She is a skillful swimmer.
- No puedo hablar francés.I cannot speak French.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are discussing a job application.
- MaríaDebes destacar tus habilidades en el currículum.You should highlight your abilities on the resume.
- AlejandroNo sé cuáles de mis habilidades son más importantes.I don't know which of my abilities are more important.
- MaríaTus habilidades con los idiomas son muy valiosas.Your language abilities are very valuable.
- AlejandroGracias, María, voy a incluirlas ahora mismo.Thanks, María, I'm going to include them right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
