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What is the Kanji for 'Ability'? | 能

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Ability', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Ability' is 能.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ability

    Reading

    onyomiのう

    nou

    Parts

    Spoon

    Example Word

    無能: incompetent. The Japanese adjectival noun '無能 (むのう)' means 'incompetent'. It is used to describe someone who lacks the necessary skills, ability, or capacity to perform a task or fulfill a role effectively. This term carries a strong negative connotation and is often used in critical or evaluative contexts. For example: He is incompetent at his job「彼は仕事で無能だ」(かれはしごとでむのうだ). The manager was deemed incompetent「そのマネージャーは無能だと見なされた」(そのマネージャーはむのうだとみなされた). Note that '無能' is typically used to describe people rather than objects or situations.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    349

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    component

    radical

    Meaning

    Spoon

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 3 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Appearance, Condition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Quit, Dismiss

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bear

Words Using

This kanji is used in 14 words:

    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

    Meaning

    Ability

    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

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 匕 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    North

    kanji

    Meaning

    Death

    kanji

    Meaning

    Change

    kanji

    Meaning

    Old, Aged

    kanji

    Meaning

    Purport, Delicious

    kanji

    Meaning

    Nun, Priestess

    kanji

    Meaning

    One

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fragrance, Scent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Approximate

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 能 mean?

能 means 'Ability'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fifth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.