1. the ability or power to do something
做某事的能力或力量
The new software has the capability to process large amounts of data.
新軟體具有處理大量數據的能力。
He has demonstrated his capability to lead the team effectively.
他已展現出有效領導團隊的能力。
指個人、組織或事物所具備的才能、技能或潛在能力。
能力
EN: the ability or power to do something
翻譯: 做某事的能力或力量
潛力
EN: the potential or undeveloped ability for future use
翻譯: 未來可發展的潛在能力
性能
EN: the features or qualities that a system, machine, or software possesses
翻譯: 系統、機器或軟體所具備的功能或特性
資格
EN: the qualities or characteristics that make someone suitable for a particular role or task
翻譯: 使某人適合擔任特定角色或任務的素質
小提醒:「Capability」通常指已存在或潛在的「能力」,而「ability」更常指已學會或展現的技能。在中文裡,需根據上下文選擇「能力」、「性能」或「潛力」等合適譯法。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Capability" from YouTube Videos
Defend our freedom to share (or why SOPA is a bad idea) | Clay Shirky
TED
“They want to raise the cost of copyright compliance to the point where people simply get out of the business of offering it as a capability to amateurs.”
1. the ability or power to do something
做某事的能力或力量
The new software has the capability to process large amounts of data.
新軟體具有處理大量數據的能力。
He has demonstrated his capability to lead the team effectively.
他已展現出有效領導團隊的能力。
2. a feature or facility that can be used or developed
可供使用或開發的功能或設施
This smartphone has advanced camera capabilities.
這款智慧型手機具備先進的相機功能。
The system's networking capabilities were expanded in the latest update.
系統的網路功能在最新更新中得到了擴展。
3. the extent of someone's or something's potential or aptitude
某人或某物的潛力或資質的程度
The job is beyond his current capabilities.
這份工作超出了他目前的能力範圍。
We need to assess the military capabilities of the region.
我們需要評估該地區的軍事潛力。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| capability + to + V | 做…的能力 | The software has the capability to process large datasets. (這款軟體具備處理大型資料集的能力。) |
| capability + for + noun/V-ing | 為…的能力;在…方面的能力 | The team demonstrated a strong capability for innovation. (該團隊展現了強大的創新能力。) |
| capability + of + V-ing | …的能力 | She has the capability of leading the project on her own. (她有能力獨立領導這個專案。) |
| have/possess the capability | 擁有能力 | The new engine possesses the capability to run on multiple fuel types. (新引擎擁有使用多種燃料運行的能力。) |
| beyond/within one's capability | 超出/在某人的能力範圍內 | Repairing this complex circuit is beyond my capability. (修理這個複雜的電路超出了我的能力範圍。) |
| enhance/improve + capability | 增強/提升能力 | The training aims to improve the technical capability of the staff. (這次培訓旨在提升員工的技術能力。) |
| military/defense capability | 軍事/防禦能力 | The nation is investing heavily in its defense capability. (該國正大力投資其防禦能力。) |
| demonstrate/show + capability | 展現能力 | The prototype showed great capability in extreme conditions. (原型機在極端條件下展現了強大的能力。) |
of 後面接動名詞 (V-ing)。to 後面接原形動詞,常與 have the, demonstrate the 等連用。capability of 可能聽起來稍正式或書面化一些。EN:She has demonstrated a remarkable capability to adapt to changing circumstances.
翻譯:她展現了適應環境變化的卓越能力。
一般情況下,capability to do 用於指執行具體行動的能力更為自然通用,若強調內在屬性或潛能,則可選用 capability of doing。
capability vs ability
「capability」強調潛在的、可發展的整體能力或性能,常與系統、組織或技術相關;「ability」則指個人已具備的、可立即執行的技能或才能。
capability vs capacity
「capability」指執行特定任務或功能的能力;「capacity」則強調容納、承載或產出的最大量或潛力。
capability vs competence
「capability」指完成任務的潛在或實際能力;「competence」則指達到合格標準所需的足夠技能或知識,更強調勝任度。
在對話中,當引述或轉述他人的觀點、要求或評估時,常會用到 "capability" 來指稱對方所提及的「能力」或「性能」。 EN: During the meeting, the client kept asking about our system's data processing capability. 翻譯: 會議中,客戶不斷詢問我們系統的數據處理能力。
EN:She questioned my capability to lead the project, which was a bit discouraging.
翻譯:她質疑我領導這個專案的能力,這有點令人沮喪。
在口語中,常與 "the"、"this"、"that" 或 "their" 等詞連用,並配合語調來強調對特定「能力」的關注、懷疑或讚賞。 EN: We need to talk about the capability of this new software before we buy it. 翻譯: 在購買之前,我們得好好談談這款新軟體的能力。
EN:I have serious doubts about their capability to deliver on time.
翻譯:我對他們準時交付的能力深感懷疑。
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時,說話者可能會用 "capability" 作為一個較正式的填充詞,後面常接 "to..." 或 "of..." 來具體說明。 EN: Our success depends on our capability... to adapt quickly to market changes. 翻譯: 我們的成功取決於我們的能力... 快速適應市場變化。
EN:The main issue is the team's capability... of working under pressure.
翻譯:主要問題在於團隊的能力... 在壓力下工作的能力。
正式寫作注意:在口語對話中,"capability" 的使用相當自然,但在極正式的學術或法律文件中,有時會更傾向使用 "capacity" 或 "competence" 來表達類似概念,以區分「潛在能力」與「實際性能」。在一般商業或技術寫作中,"capability" 則完全適用。
military capability
adj + capability
軍事能力
have the capability to
verb + the capability + to-infinitive
有能力(做某事)
beyond one's capability
prep + possessive + capability
超出某人的能力範圍
enhance/improve capability
verb + capability
提升/改進能力
nuclear capability
adj + capability
核能力
within the capability of
prep + the capability + of
在...的能力範圍內
capability gap
capability + noun
能力落差
×He has the capability to speak three languages.
✓He has the ability to speak three languages.
雖然 'capability' 和 'ability' 都表示能力,但 'capability' 通常指潛在的、未開發的或系統性的能力,而 'ability' 更常用於描述已掌握的個人技能。描述具體技能時,'ability' 更自然。
×They questioned his capability of leading the team.
✓They questioned his capability to lead the team. / They questioned his capability for leading the team.
'Capability' 後面接動作時,常用 'to + 動詞原形' 或 'for + V-ing',較少用 'of + V-ing'。'Ability' 才常用 'ability of + V-ing'。
×He has many capabilities in engineering.
✓He has great capability in engineering. / He has many skills in engineering.
'Capability' 作為抽象名詞時通常不可數,指整體的「能力」。若想表達多種不同的具體能力,應用複數形式 'capabilities',但前面不用 'many' 修飾,而用 'various', 'different', 'extensive' 等。或用 'skills' 更自然。
×The stadium has a capability of 50,000 people.
✓The stadium has a capacity of 50,000 people.
'Capability' 指做某事的能力或潛力;'capacity' 指容納量、產能或法律權限。談論物理空間能容納的數量或最大產量時,應用 'capacity'。
×My computer's capability is very high.
✓My computer is very capable. / My computer has high performance.
描述機器或設備時,'capability' 聽起來較正式且抽象。在日常對話中,用 'capable' 形容詞或更具體的名詞(如 performance, features)更自然。'Capability' 更常用於描述系統、組織或技術規格。
×She shows great capability to become a manager.
✓She shows great potential to become a manager.
'Capability' 強調現有的、可被觀察或測量的能力;'potential' 強調未來發展的可能性或潛力。描述某人未來可能發展的潛力時,應用 'potential'。