ability
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ability
The mental or physical talent or learned skill to do something specific.
Sie besitzt die seltene Fähigkeit, Menschen allein durch ihre Stimme zu beruhigen.
She possesses the rare ability to calm people with her voice alone.
The noun 'Fähigkeit' (ability) is derived directly from the adjective 'fähig' (capable / able). The ending '-keit' is a typical way to form nouns from adjectives that describe a quality.
Er ist fähig, schwere Kisten zu tragen. Er hat die Fähigkeit dazu.
He is capable of carrying heavy boxes. He has the ability to do it.
To describe the exact ability, you usually use a construction with 'zu' (to). Either an infinitive follows ('die Fähigkeit, zu lesen' = the ability to read) or a noun in the dative ('die Fähigkeit zur Empathie' = the ability for empathy / capacity for empathy).
Er hat die Fähigkeit, komplexe Probleme schnell zu lösen.
He has the ability to solve complex problems quickly.
Common verbs used with 'Fähigkeit' (ability) are 'haben' (to have), 'besitzen' (to possess), 'erwerben' (to acquire), 'entwickeln' (to develop), and 'verlieren' (to lose).
Durch viel Übung hat er neue Fähigkeiten erworben.
Through a lot of practice, he has acquired new abilities.
to be able to
“Können” and “die Fähigkeit” both indicate that someone has mastered something. In a sentence, “können” tends to emphasize mastery that is actually demonstrated, while “die Fähigkeit” names the existing ability as a personal quality. The verb fits an action, while the noun form fits a description.
Pauls Fähigkeit, das schwierige Regal allein aufzubauen, beeindruckt uns.
Paul’s ability to assemble the difficult shelving unit by himself impresses us.
Paul kann das schwierige Regal allein aufbauen.
Paul can assemble the difficult shelving unit by himself.
