Capable in different languages

Capable in Different Languages

Discover 'Capable' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'capable' is a powerful expression of human potential. It signifies the ability to accomplish something, whether it's mastering a new skill, overcoming a challenge, or making a positive impact on the world. This word has been a part of our collective human narrative for centuries, inspiring us to reach beyond our limits and achieve greatness.

Culturally, the concept of capability is woven into the fabric of many societies, symbolizing strength, resilience, and self-sufficiency. From ancient philosophical texts to modern self-help books, the idea of being capable has been a source of motivation and guidance for people all over the world.

Understanding the translation of 'capable' in different languages can provide valuable insights into how other cultures view human potential. For example, in Spanish, 'capable' is 'capaz', while in French, it's 'capable'. These translations not only help us communicate with a global audience, but also deepen our appreciation for the richness and diversity of human language and culture.

In the following list, you'll find the translations of 'capable' in over 20 languages, along with some interesting historical contexts and cultural significance behind each translation.

Capable


Capable in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansbekwaam
In addition to its primary meaning, "bekwaam" can also refer to a "capable farm" or to "being capable of being sued"
Amharicየሚችል
The word 'የሚችል' ('capable') in Amharic can also mean 'possible' or 'feasible'.
Hausaiya
The Hausa word "iya" also means "to be able to" or "to have the power to".
Igboike
The Igbo word "ike" also means "strength, power, or ability."
Malagasymahavita
Mahavita is also a Malagasy name commonly given to boys and is derived from the word 'maha' meaning 'great' or 'abundant', and 'vita' meaning 'life' or 'alive'.
Nyanja (Chichewa)wokhoza
The Nyanja word "wokhoza" is a homonym, also meaning "to be able to cook or prepare relish".
Shonakugona
The Shona word "kugona" also has alternate meanings like "to be heavy", "to weigh down", and "to be burdened."
Somalikarti leh
The word "karti leh" can also refer to a person who is skilled or competent.
Sesothobokhoni
Bokhoni can also refer to a person who has special skills or knowledge in a particular area
Swahiliwenye uwezo
WENYE is a plural prefix for personal classes 1 and 2, while UWEZO means "ability".
Xhosaonako
The word "onako" also means "strong" in Xhosa.
Yorubaagbara
The word 'agbara' literally translates to 'power' in English, indicating the inherent ability to perform a task.
Zuluuyakwazi
'Uyakwazi' shares a root with 'kwazi', meaning 'nearly', and 'ukwazisa', meaning 'to cause one to be capable'.
Bambarasékola
Eweate ŋu
Kinyarwandaarabishoboye
Lingalakokoka
Lugandaobusobozi
Sepedibokgoni
Twi (Akan)bɛtumi

Capable in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicقادر
"قادر" (capable) comes from the root "ق د ر" (ability), which also gives us words like "قدر" (power) and "قدرة" (capacity).
Hebrewבעל יכולת
בעל יכולת comes from the root ע.ב.ל which also means "to do"
Pashtoوړ
وړ can also mean 'able to' or 'qualified' with an infinitive, like 'وړ ووې' ('able to go').
Arabicقادر
"قادر" (capable) comes from the root "ق د ر" (ability), which also gives us words like "قدر" (power) and "قدرة" (capacity).

Capable in Western European Languages

Albaniantë aftë
The word "të aftë" is derived from the Latin word "aptus", meaning "fit" or "suitable".
Basquegai
The word "gai" in Basque also refers to places or things that are suitable or appropriate for a specific purpose.
Catalancapaç
Catalan "capaç" comes from the Latin "capax," meaning "spacious" or "capacious".
Croatiansposoban
The word 'sposoban' is also used as an alternative term for 'adept' in Croatian.
Danishi stand til at
The Danish word "i stand til at" originated from the German word "stehen" which means "to stand" or "to be able to". Over time, the meaning of the word changed to "capable" in Danish.
Dutchbekwaam
"Bekwaam" is derived from the Middle Dutch "bequaem", meaning "comfortable" or "convenient".
Englishcapable
"Capable" means "able to do or achieve something" and derives from the Latin "capax," meaning "able to hold."
Frenchcapable
The French word "capable" comes from the Latin word "capax", meaning "roomy" or "spacious".
Frisiansteat
The word "steat" is also said as "set" by old people
Galiciancapaz
The Galician word "capaz" also means "able", "fit", and "able to do".
Germanfähig
"Fähig" is derived from the Middle High German "væhec" and originally meant "acceptable, agreeable" or "appropriate, adequate", and it is cognate with the English "fee".
Icelandicfær
'Fær' is derived from the Old Norse word 'fœr', which means 'sound', 'able', or 'capable'.
Irishábalta
The word 'ábalta' originated from 'áil' meaning fit, and can also mean 'strong, able, sound, healthy' in Irish.
Italiancapace
The Italian word "capace" derives from the Latin word "capere" which means "to take, hold, or contain".
Luxembourgishfäeg
"Fäeg" originates from the Old High German word "fagan", which means "apt, suitable, appropriate".
Maltesekapaċi
The Maltese word "kapaċi" (capable) shares the same root with its English cognate "capacity."}
Norwegiani stand
" Jeg står i det" is also a Norwegian idiom meaning "I can handle it" or "I'm up for the challenge."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)capaz
The word "capaz" comes from the Latin word "capax", which means "roomy" or "spacious."
Scots Gaeliccomasach
"Comasach" (capable) can also mean "equal" or "competent" in Scots Gaelic.
Spanishcapaz
The word "capaz" comes from the Latin "capere," meaning "to take, hold, or contain."
Swedishkapabel
Swedish 'kapabel' is derived from Latin 'capabilis', which originally meant 'able to hold', hence 'capable'.
Welshgalluog
The word 'galluog' has an etymology rooted in the Proto-Celtic root *gal-nō, meaning 'power' or 'ability'.

Capable in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianздольны
The word "здольны" in Belarusian also means "capable of moving in a certain direction".
Bosniansposoban
The word 'sposoban' can also mean 'suitable' or 'appropriate' in Bosnian.
Bulgarianспособен
The word 'способен' also means 'talented' or 'gifted' in Bulgarian.
Czechschopný
The word "schopný" can also mean "able" or "competent".
Estonianvõimeline
"Võimeline" can also refer to a "possibility" or "potentiality" in addition to its primary meaning of "capable".
Finnishpystyy
Derived from the verb –pystymä— ("to be able") and the suffix –yy—, which indicates the ability or capability of something.
Hungarianképes
The Hungarian word "képes" can mean both "capable" or "illustrated"/"in possession of images".
Latvianspējīgs
"Spējīgs" in Latvian comes from the word "spēks," meaning "strength," and is also related to the verb "spēt," meaning "to manage" or "to be able to."
Lithuaniansugeba
The word "sugeba" is related to the word "sugus", which means "good". Therefore, "sugeba" can also be interpreted as "goodly".
Macedonianспособен
The Slavic verb "способь" (from which "способен" is derived) can be used in contexts referring to "to be able to" but also "to make able to".
Polishzdolny
The word "zdolny" in Polish can also mean "talented" or "gifted".
Romaniancapabil
From Latin "habilis" (dexterous) or "capabilis" (roomy), it also means "convenient" or "comfortable" in Romanian.
Russianспособный
The word "способный" derives from the Old Slavonic word "съпобити", meaning "to help, assist", and can also mean "talented, able"}
Serbianспособан
In Serbian, "способан" also means "suitable" or "appropriate".
Slovakschopný
The Slavic root "spop" in "schopný" also gives rise to the word "spôsob" or "way" in Slovak.
Sloveniansposoben
The word "sposoben" can also mean "suitable" or "appropriate" in Slovenian.
Ukrainianздатний
The word "здатний" in Ukrainian comes from the Old Church Slavonic word "съдъ", meaning "court" or "judgment"}

Capable in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসক্ষম
সক্ষম shares the Proto-Indo-European root *seĝ- with words like 'sagacious' and 'sage,' and also has a second meaning 'companion.'
Gujaratiસક્ષમ
The word "સક્ષમ" in Gujarati is derived from the Sanskrit word "सक्षम" which also means "capable" or "competent".
Hindiसक्षम
The word "सक्षम" is derived from the Sanskrit root "śak" meaning "to be able" and "ma" meaning "to measure".
Kannadaಸಮರ್ಥ
The word 'samartha' in Kannada is derived from the Sanskrit word 'samartha' which means 'able', 'capable', or 'competent'.
Malayalamകഴിവുള്ള
"കഴിവുള്ള" in Malayalam can also mean "obedient," "capable of doing something" or "skillful."
Marathiसक्षम
The Marathi word "सक्षम (sakshama)" is derived from the Sanskrit word "समर्थ (samartha)", meaning "able" or "powerful". It can also refer to someone who is qualified or competent in a particular field.
Nepaliसक्षम
"सक्षम" derives from Sanskrit, where it also means "competent" or "authoritative."
Punjabiਕਾਬਲ
The word 'ਕਾਬਲ' has the same etymology as its Persian equivalent, 'قابلیت', and can mean 'ability' as well.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)හැකියාව
In Sinhala, "හැකියාව" not only means "capable" but also refers to "ability" or "competence."
Tamilதிறன்
The Tamil word "திறன்" is not only used in the sense of "capability" but also refers to the "key" that opens up.
Teluguసామర్థ్యం
Urduقابل
The word "قابل" (capable) in Urdu also has connotations of "deserving" and "worthy".

Capable in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)
The term 能 (néng) can also refer to ability, potential, or competence.
Chinese (Traditional)
In ancient Chinese, "能" meant "tooth" and was used in phrases like "能齿相依" (interdependent teeth) to describe close relationships.
Japanese有能
有能 can also mean "promising" or "talented" as well as expressing a sense of abundance.
Korean유능한
유능한 has Chinese origins, with 유 meaning 'have,' 能 meaning 'ability,' and 한 meaning 'a person.'
Mongolianчадвартай
The word "чадвартай" is derived from the root "чад" (to be able, to be capable), and the suffix "-вар" (forming adjectives).
Myanmar (Burmese)စွမ်းရည်

Capable in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmampu
"Mampu" is derived from the Sanskrit word "mapu" meaning "to be able".
Javanesesaged
The word 'saged' has a root word 'sage' which means 'can', and 'd' suffix which indicates an ongoing action.
Khmerមានសមត្ថភាព
The term "មានសមត្ថភាព" can also refer to competence, ability, or having the necessary skills or qualifications.
Laoມີຄວາມສາມາດ
Malayberkebolehan
Berkebolehan can also mean 'able to' or 'skilled at' something.
Thaiมีความสามารถ
The word "มีความสามารถ" can also mean "talented" or "skilled".
Vietnamesecó khả năng
The word "có khả năng" can also mean "able" or "competent".
Filipino (Tagalog)may kakayahan

Capable in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanibacarıqlı
The word "bacarıqlı" is derived from the Persian word "bāzār" (بازار), which means "ability" or "skill".
Kazakhқабілетті
Қабілетті means „capable“ and is derived from the Arabic word „qābil“, meaning „accepting“ or „capable“.
Kyrgyzжөндөмдүү
The word "жөндөмдүү" can also mean "suitable" or "appropriate".
Tajikқодир
"Қодир" (capable) is derived from the Persian word "qādir" (able).
Turkmenukyply
Uzbekqobiliyatli
The word "qobiliyatli" originally meant "able to do something" and is related to the word "qobil" which means "able, capable".
Uyghurئىقتىدارلىق

Capable in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhiki
The word "hiki" can also mean "skill" or "art".
Maoriāhei
The word "āhei" in Māori also means "to be able to" or "to have the ability to".
Samoanmafai
The Samoan word mafai means capable, able, or can, and comes from the proto-Oceanic word *mafai, meaning power or strength.
Tagalog (Filipino)may kakayahan
"Kakayahan" comes from the root words "kaya" (can) and "an" (possession), thus "capable".

Capable in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarakapasa
Guaranikatupyry

Capable in International Languages

Esperantokapabla
Esperanto's "kapabla" likely comes from Polish "kapać" (to drip), but might be related to Italian "capace" (capacious) or Japanese "kabu" (stock).
Latinstrenuis
Strenuis, a Latin term, also signifies 'vigorous', 'energetic', or 'spirited' in addition to 'capable'.

Capable in Others Languages

Greekικανός
"Ικανός" has a secondary, archaic meaning of "great" which is preserved in compound words such as "ικανοποιώ" ("I satisfy") and "αριστοκρατικός" ("aristocratic").
Hmongmuaj peev xwm
The word "muaj peev xwm" can also mean "to be able to carry out a task with ease".
Kurdishzane
The word "zane" in Kurdish can also mean "skillful" or "qualified".
Turkishyetenekli
In Turkish, "yetenekli" also means "talented" or "gifted".
Xhosaonako
The word "onako" also means "strong" in Xhosa.
Yiddishטויגעוודיק
The Yiddish word "טויגעוודיק" is related to the German verb "taugen" (to be good), and also refers to a person or object's worth or reliability in general.
Zuluuyakwazi
'Uyakwazi' shares a root with 'kwazi', meaning 'nearly', and 'ukwazisa', meaning 'to cause one to be capable'.
Assameseসক্ষম
Aymarakapasa
Bhojpuriकाबिल
Dhivehiކުޅަދާނަކަން
Dogriसमर्थ
Filipino (Tagalog)may kakayahan
Guaranikatupyry
Ilocanoaddaan ti kabaelan
Krioebul
Kurdish (Sorani)بە توانا
Maithiliसक्षम
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯇꯧꯕ ꯉꯃꯕꯒꯤ ꯃꯇꯤꯛ ꯂꯩꯕ
Mizothei
Oromodanda'uu
Odia (Oriya)ସକ୍ଷମ
Quechuaqapaq
Sanskritसक्षम
Tatarсәләтле
Tigrinyaተኽእሎ ዘለዎ
Tsongavuswikoti

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