How to say 'Ability' in Japanese | 能

Wondering how to say 'Ability' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Ability is 'Nou', written as 能 in Japanese.'Ability' in hiragana is のう.

word

能

Meaning

Ability

Reading

のう

nou

Kanji

能Ability

Explanation

The Japanese noun '能 (のう)' primarily means 'ability' or 'capability'. It refers to the capacity or skill to perform a task or achieve something. This word is often used in contexts related to personal or professional skills, such as in '彼は語学の能がある (かれはごがくののうがある)', which translates to 'He has a talent for languages'. Additionally, '能' can also refer to Noh, a traditional form of Japanese theater, but this is a completely different and unrelated meaning. For example: Noh is a traditional Japanese performance art「能は日本の伝統芸能です」(のうはにほんのでんとうげいのうです).

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

4880

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 能

This word contains 1 kanji character:

kanji

能

Meaning

Ability

Words Related to 能 Through the Kanji 能

These 13 Words contain the Kanji 能 as well.

word

可能

Meaning

Possible

word

能力

Meaning

Ability

word

機能

Meaning

Function

word

芸能

Meaning

Entertainment

word

才能

Meaning

Talent

word

性能

Meaning

Performance

word

本能

Meaning

Instinct

word

有能

Meaning

Capable

word

知能

Meaning

Intelligence

word

無能

Meaning

Incompetent

word

不可能

Meaning

Impossible

word

能率

Meaning

Efficiency

word

放射能

Meaning

Radiation

Learn the Word 能

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What does 'Nou' (能) mean?

'Nou' means 'Ability' .

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