competent
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competent
Having the ability, knowledge, or skill to carry out a task successfully and expertly; capable and qualified.
Wir haben eine sehr kompetente Ärztin, die uns immer gut berät.
We have a very competent doctor who always gives us good advice.
The adjective 'kompetent' (competent) belongs to the noun 'die Kompetenz' (competence). When a person is 'kompetent' (competent), they have competence in a specific area.
Für diese Position suchen wir jemanden mit hoher sozialer Kompetenz.
For this position, we are looking for someone with a high level of social competence.
To name the area in which someone is competent, you use the preposition 'in' followed by the dative. This construction is very common.
Unser Anwalt ist in juristischen Fragen sehr kompetent.
Our lawyer is very competent in legal matters.
'Kompetent' (competent) is often used to describe people in professional roles or their work. Common combinations are 'kompetenter Mitarbeiter' (competent employee), 'kompetente Beratung' (competent advice), or 'kompetente Antwort' (competent answer).
Ich war mit der kompetenten Beratung sehr zufrieden.
I was very satisfied with the competent advice.
The word 'kompetent' (competent) is mainly used in professional, official, or more formal contexts. It sounds more objective and specific than, for example, 'gut' (good).
Die Bewerberin hinterließ einen sehr kompetenten Eindruck.
The applicant made a very competent impression.
responsible
A person is zuständig when a task officially falls within their area of responsibility. They are kompetent when they have the necessary knowledge and skills. So a zuständige person must be contacted, while a kompetente person can solve the problem knowledgeably.
Herr Klein ist für die Reparatur der Maschine kompetent genug und findet den Fehler schnell.
Mr. Klein is competent enough to repair the machine and quickly finds the fault.
Herr Klein ist für die Reparatur der Maschine zuständig.
Mr. Klein is responsible for repairing the machine.
