capable / powerful
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capable
Able to deliver a high level of performance; productive, efficient, and resilient. Often refers to a person's physical or mental ability.
Nach einer guten Nacht Schlaf fühle ich mich wieder voll leistungsfähig.
After a good night's sleep, I feel fully capable again.
The word consists of 'Leistung' (performance) and the ending '-fähig' (-capable), which means 'capable of' or 'able to.' So 'leistungsfähig' literally means 'capable of good performance.'
Ein Sportler muss körperlich sehr leistungsfähig sein.
An athlete has to be very physically capable.
The adjective belongs to the word family around the verb 'leisten' (to accomplish, to provide) and the noun 'die Leistung' (the achievement, the performance).
Um diese Leistung zu erbringen, muss man sehr leistungsfähig sein.
To deliver this performance, you have to be very capable.
You can tell whether a person or a machine is meant from the noun. If it refers to people or their abilities (e.g., the brain), the first meaning is intended. With devices (e.g., computers), it is the second.
Ein leistungsfähiger Mitarbeiter ist für jedes Team ein Gewinn.
A capable employee is an asset to any team.
To emphasize the high level of ability, the adjective is often intensified with adverbs such as 'sehr' (very), 'besonders' (particularly), 'hoch' (highly), or 'voll' (fully).
Das neue System ist hoch leistungsfähig und kann riesige Datenmengen verarbeiten.
The new system is highly powerful and can process huge amounts of data.
top
'top' and 'leistungsfähig' can both say that someone or something is in very good condition. 'top' is informal and general: a person can be in top shape, or something can simply be very good. 'leistungsfähig' is more precise and means that someone or something can perform well, that is, is resilient, strong, or efficient. For people, machines, or computers, 'leistungsfähig' is often more factual and precise; 'top' sounds more like a short personal evaluation.
Der neue Computer bleibt auch bei großen Dateien leistungsfähig.
The new computer remains powerful even with large files.
Nach dem Urlaub fühlt sich die Lehrerin wieder top.
After the vacation, the teacher feels top again.