skill
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skill
An ability acquired through practice and experience to perform a particular activity well and confidently. Often used in the plural to describe different competencies.
Für diesen Beruf sind handwerkliche Fertigkeiten unerlässlich.
Manual skills are essential for this profession.
skill
The quality of being very practiced and skillful in an activity; dexterity or proficiency. This meaning is somewhat rarer and more formal.
Er spielte das Klavierstück mit beeindruckender Fertigkeit.
He played the piano piece with impressive skill.
'Fertigkeit' (skill) is related to the adjective 'fertig' (finished/ready). A 'Fertigkeit' is an ability that allows you to complete a task well and confidently — so you are 'fertig' or practiced at it.
Mit etwas Übung wirst du die nötige Fertigkeit schnell erlernen.
With a little practice, you will quickly learn the necessary skill.
When talking about a person's competencies, the word is very often used in the plural, 'Fertigkeiten' (skills). It then describes the total set of learned abilities.
Im Lebenslauf sollte man seine besonderen Fertigkeiten auflisten.
You should list your special skills on your résumé.
Common combinations are 'soziale Fertigkeiten' (social skills), 'sprachliche Fertigkeiten' (language skills), or 'technische Fertigkeiten' (technical skills). Typical verbs are 'Fertigkeiten erwerben' (to acquire skills), 'besitzen' (to possess), or 'verbessern' (to improve).
Gute soziale Fertigkeiten sind in diesem Job sehr wichtig.
Good social skills are very important in this job.
The rarer meaning 'Geschicklichkeit' (dexterity/skill) is usually used in the singular. You can often recognize it in phrases such as 'mit großer Fertigkeit' (with great skill) or 'mit technischer Fertigkeit' (with technical skill).
Die Handwerkerin reparierte die Uhr mit bewundernswerter Fertigkeit.
The craftswoman repaired the clock with admirable skill.
technology / technique
Technik and Fertigkeit both concern performing an activity well. Technik focuses on the way the activity is performed. Fertigkeit refers to a person's ability acquired through practice. A method is shown as a Technik, while a mastered ability is developed as a Fertigkeit.
Durch tägliches Training entwickelt Mia die Fertigkeit, sicher aufzuschlagen.
Through daily training, Mia develops the skill to serve confidently.
Der Trainer zeigt Mia die richtige Technik für den Aufschlag.
The coach shows Mia the proper technique for the serve.
