能力 (néng lì) — ability, capability

Definition

General word for 'ability' (学习能力, 工作能力). It's broad and neutral; 技能 is a learned/technical skill, 才能 is innate talent.

noun
abilitycapability
Measure word ·

Examples

  • 能力
    Tā de xué xí néng lì fēi cháng qiáng.
    His learning ability is very strong.
  • 能力
    Wǒ men gōng sī xū yào yǒu jiě jué wèn tí néng lì de rén cái.
    Our company needs talent with problem-solving ability.
  • 能力
    Tōng guò péi xùn, tā de gōng zuò néng lì tí gāo le hěn duō.
    Through training, her work ability improved a lot.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

néngability
strength

Ability 能 and strength 力 together name a person's capacity.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

能 is an old picture of a bear, showing two paws and a face with an open mouth.

Open 能 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

力 is drawn as either an arm bending out from the side of the body or a wooden plough.

Open 力 →

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