1. the physical or mental power or skill needed to do something
做某事所需的身體或心智能力、技能
She has the ability to speak three languages fluently.
她有能力流利地說三種語言。
His athletic ability is impressive.
他的運動能力令人印象深刻。
Ability Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
ability
noun
快速理解
What does "Ability" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Ability"?
指個人或事物所具備的、能夠完成某事的技能、才幹或潛力。
- 1
技能與才幹
EN: the physical or mental skill to do something
翻譯: 指身體或心智上執行某事的具體技能或才幹。
- 2
能力與潛力
EN: the power or potential to do something
翻譯: 指完成某事的內在力量或潛在可能性。
- 3
天賦與才能
EN: a natural talent or proficiency
翻譯: 指與生俱來或特別擅長的天賦或才能。
- 4
法律或官方權能
EN: the legal power or official capacity to act
翻譯: 指法律賦予或官方職位所具備的行動權力或資格。
小提醒：注意 'ability' 為可數名詞，指具體的『能力』時常用複數形 'abilities'；而 'capability' 則常指較抽象或未開發的『潛能』。
發音（How to Pronounce "Ability" in English）
How to pronounce "Ability" in English?"Ability" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Ability" from YouTube Videos
Why are these 32 symbols found in caves all over Europe | Genevieve von Petzinger | TED
TED
“Our desire and ability to share and collaborate has been a huge part of our success story.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Ability"?How does "Ability" change by context?
2. a natural talent or acquired proficiency
天賦或後天習得的熟練技巧
He has a remarkable ability for solving complex problems.
他擁有解決複雜問題的非凡能力。
Her artistic ability was evident from a young age.
她的藝術天賦從小就很明顯。
3. the quality of being able to do something; the fact of being capable
能夠做某事的特質；有能力的事實
The new software improves the computer's ability to process data.
新軟體提升了電腦處理資料的能力。
We must assess the company's ability to repay the loan.
我們必須評估公司償還貸款的能力。
4. used in legal or formal contexts to mean 'competence' or 'qualification'
用於法律或正式場合，意指「資格」或「勝任能力」
The court questioned his mental ability to stand trial.
法庭質疑他接受審判的心智能力。
The contract is beyond the legal ability of a minor to sign.
這份合約超出了未成年人簽署的法律能力範圍。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Ability"?How to make natural sentences with "Ability"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ability + to + V | 做…的能力 | She has the ability to solve complex problems. (她擁有解決複雜問題的能力。) |
| have + the ability + to + V | 擁有做…的能力 | He has the ability to speak three languages. (他擁有說三種語言的能力。) |
| demonstrate/show + ability | 展現/顯示能力 | The test will demonstrate your analytical ability. (這項測驗將展現你的分析能力。) |
| lack + the ability + to + V | 缺乏做…的能力 | The system lacks the ability to adapt quickly. (該系統缺乏快速適應的能力。) |
| within one's ability | 在某人的能力範圍內 | I will help you to the best of my ability. (我會盡我所能幫助你。) |
| ability + in + noun/V-ing | 在…方面的能力 | Her ability in mathematics is outstanding. (她在數學方面的能力非常出色。) |
用法說明
How is "Ability" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Ability"?
ability to do vs ability of doing
- ability to do 是最標準且最常見的用法，用來表示「做某事的能力」。
- ability of doing 在現代英語中非常罕見且不自然，通常被視為錯誤用法。
- 在描述「某人/某物有能力做某事」時，應一律使用 ability to + 動詞原形 的結構。
- 介系詞 in 或 at 可與 ability 連用，表示「在...方面的能力」，例如：
ability in mathematics（數學能力）。
對比例句： EN: She has the remarkable ability to learn languages quickly. 翻譯: 她擁有快速學習語言的非凡能力。
EN:His ability to solve complex problems is impressive.
翻譯:他解決複雜問題的能力令人印象深刻。
總結建議
在表達「...的能力」時，請固定使用「ability to + 動詞原形」的結構，避免使用「ability of doing」。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Ability" and similar words?How to choose "Ability" vs alternatives?
ability vs capability
「ability」通常指天生的或已學會的技能，而「capability」則更強調潛在的、未來的或完成複雜任務的整體能力。
ability vs capacity
「ability」指做某事的技能，而「capacity」則強調容納、吸收或處理的潛在最大量或資格。
ability vs skill
「ability」是較廣泛的、與生俱來或已具備的能力，而「skill」則是透過學習和練習獲得的特定技術或技藝。
口語用法
How is "Ability" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Ability"?
引述
在對話中，人們有時會引述他人對自己或他人能力的評價。 EN: He was like, "I have no ability to fix this." 翻譯: 他就說：「我根本沒能力修好這個。」
EN:She kept saying, "Your ability to stay calm is amazing."
翻譯:她一直說：「你保持冷靜的能力太驚人了。」
語氣強調
在口語中，常會加入一些詞彙來強調或修飾「ability」，使其語氣更自然、更口語化。 EN: I don't have the slightest ability to dance. 翻譯: 我連一點點跳舞的能耐都沒有。
EN:He has this uncanny ability to remember names.
翻譯:他就有這種記住名字的驚人本事。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時，「ability」或其相關短語可能被用作停頓點的一部分。 EN: So, the ability... you know, to adapt quickly is key. 翻譯: 所以，那個能力… 你知道，快速適應才是關鍵。
EN:It requires a certain, um, ability to read the room.
翻譯:這需要某種，嗯，察言觀色的能力。
正式寫作注意：上述口語用法（如引述句式、語氣詞「連…都」、「本事」等較隨意的同義詞、以及停頓填充詞）在學術論文、正式報告或商業文件中應避免使用，應改用更精確、中性的表達方式。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Ability"?What fixed phrases with "Ability" should I remember?
have the ability to
have the ability to [verb]
有能力做某事
demonstrate/show ability
demonstrate/show [one's] ability
展現/顯示能力
to the best of one's ability
to the best of [one's] ability
盡某人最大努力
innate/natural ability
innate/natural ability
與生俱來/天生的能力
lack the ability
lack the ability to [verb]
缺乏能力
cognitive ability
cognitive ability
認知能力
within one's ability
within [one's] ability
在某人的能力範圍內
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Ability"?Which "Ability" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He has the ability of speaking three languages.
✓He has the ability to speak three languages.
「ability」後通常接不定詞「to + 動詞原形」，而非「of + V-ing」。
×His abilities are very high.
✓His abilities are very strong / impressive.
描述「能力」的高低強弱，英文通常用「strong/weak/impressive/limited」等形容詞，而非「high/low」。
×I have ability in English.
✓I have an ability in English. / I have (some) ability in English.
當「ability」作為可數名詞，指「某一項特定的能力」時，通常需要冠詞（a/an/the）或限定詞（some, my, etc.）。泛指整體能力時，可用不可數形式，但常帶限定詞。
×This job requires the ability of teamwork.
✓This job requires the ability to work in a team. / This job requires teamwork ability.
表達「...的能力」時，若後接的是抽象名詞（如 teamwork），常用複合名詞（teamwork ability）或改用不定詞片語（ability to work...），而非「of + 抽象名詞」。
×He lost his ability walking after the accident.
✓He lost his ability to walk after the accident.
「ability」後接具體動作時，必須使用不定詞「to + 動詞原形」，不可使用現在分詞（V-ing）。
×She has many abilities on communication.
✓She has many communication abilities. / She has strong communication skills.
表示「在...方面的能力」，通常將領域作為名詞修飾語放在前面（如 communication abilities），或使用更自然的搭配「skills in...」。介系詞「on」在此不適用。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Ability"?What are tense/participle forms of "Ability"?