能力 (nénglì)

能力 refers to the power, skill, or capacity that enables a person or thing to do or achieve something.

Meanings

[noun] Ability; capability; capacity; competence.

Example Sentences

她有很强的组织能力。 Tā yǒu hěn qiáng de zǔzhī nénglì. She has very strong organizational ability.

提高语言能力需要大量练习。 Tígāo yǔyán nénglì xūyào dàliàng liànxí. Improving language ability requires a great deal of practice.

这个任务超出了他的能力范围。 Zhège rènwù chāochū le tā de nénglì fànwéi. This task is beyond the scope of his abilities.

我相信你有能力完成这项工作。 Wǒ xiāngxìn nǐ yǒu nénglì wánchéng zhè xiàng gōngzuò. I believe you have the ability to complete this work.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
工作能力	work ability; professional competence
学习能力	learning ability
提高能力	to improve one's ability
有能力	to be capable
能力范围	scope of ability

Usage Notes

能力 is a very general term for ability or competence. It often follows specific domains: 工作能力 (work competence), 语言能力 (language ability), 组织能力 (organizational ability). The pattern 有能力做某事 (have the ability to do something) and 超出能力 (beyond one's ability) are both common.

Memory Hook

能 means "to be able/capable" and 力 means "strength/power" — the strength to be able is your ability.