能力（のうりょく、nouryoku）
- ability

The Japanese word 能力 能力 (のうりょく, *nouryoku*) generally translates to "ability," "capacity," "capability," or "skill" in English. It refers to the power or skill to do something, or the quality of being able to do something. This can encompass a wide range of things, from physical abilities like running or lifting, to mental abilities like problem-solving or understanding a language. 能力 can also refer to potential or the inherent ability within someone or something.

⚫︎ 彼女は高いコミュニケーション能力があります。 Translation: She has a high communication ability. ⚫︎ 彼はプログラミングの能力を向上させたいと思っています。 Translation: He wants to improve his programming skills. ⚫︎ その機械は高い生産能力を持っています。 Translation: That machine has a high production capacity.

能力 is a very common and versatile word. ⚫︎ It can be used in various contexts, including professional settings, academic discussions, and everyday conversations. ⚫︎ It is often used to describe someone's skills or expertise in a particular area. ⚫︎ It can also refer to the potential or power of something, such as a machine or organization. ⚫︎ You can use 能力 with verbs like "to have" (持つ, *motsu*), "to improve" (向上させる, *koujou saseru*), "to develop" (開発する, *kaihatsu suru*), or "to test" (テストする, *tesuto suru*).

⚫︎ 能力 is primarily written using kanji and read as のうりょく in hiragana. ⚫︎ There are no other common ways to write this word. ⚫︎ The okurigana is fixed and does not change.

⚫︎ 才能 (さいのう, *sainou*): talent, gift ⚫︎ 技量 (ぎりょう, *giryou*): skill, ability ⚫︎ 腕前 (うでまえ, *udemae*): skill, ability (usually referring to someone's performance) ⚫︎ 実力 (じつりょく, *jitsuryoku*): actual ability, real power ⚫︎ 力量 (りきりょう, *rikiryou*): ability, competence

⚫︎ 無能 (むのう, *munou*): incompetence, inability ⚫︎ 欠点 (けってん, *ketten*): weakness, shortcoming ⚫︎ 弱点 (じゃくてん, *jakuten*): weakness, weak point

彼は語学の能力が高い。 ・Translation: He has a high language ability. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone's proficiency in a language.

そのチームは高い問題解決能力を発揮した。 ・Translation: That team demonstrated a high problem-solving ability. ・Explanation: This sentence refers to the team's ability to solve problems.

The word 能力 is a combination of two kanji: 能 (*nou*), meaning "ability," "capacity," or "skill," and 力 (*ryoku*), meaning "power," "strength," or "force." Therefore, the word literally means "ability power" or "power of ability," effectively conveying the concept of capability.