Ability and capability with 能
能 means ability or capability, and by extension possibility and talent.
Etymology
This kanji is a pictogram originally depicting a bear. The character shows two paws (represented by elements resembling 匕) and a face with an open mouth (stylized as 月). You’ll also find 能 as the central part of 熊, the kanji for bear.
Mnemonics
Bears exemplify ability and capability: they have remarkable physical prowess, strength, and versatility. They are able to climb, swim, run, and manipulate objects with dexterity. The bear reflects the potential to do something.
Capability
能力 (Ability)
能力 generally means the power to accomplish things, or the function of that power. It includes both natural talents and qualities developed through learning and experience.
It combines 能 (ability) with 力 (power) to show capability.
Conan finds himself in the clutches of dangerous pair, only to discover it’s his parents in disguise.
- コナン:
- 「ハハ… それでオレが薬で小さくされた事情を阿笠博士に聞いて、こんな悪巧みを仕組んだってわけか…」
- “So you heard from Dr. Agasa about how I was shrunk by a drug and cooked up this evil scheme, huh...”
- 父さん:
- 「悪巧みじゃないさ！ おまえの探偵としての能力を試してんだよ…」
- “It's not an evil scheme! I'm just testing your abilities as a detective...”
才能 (Talent)
才能 means the ability to skillfully accomplish tasks in a specific field, or the inherent aptitude for it. It is commonly translated as talent, ability, or gift. While it often implies an innate, natural-born gift, it also frequently refers to skills developed later through training, or the unique trait of being intensely obsessed with a specific subject.
It combines 才 (talent) with 能 (ability) to show natural talent.
During a free day from training, Touwata and Mizubashou approach Tsubaki to request a favor. She would like Tsubaki to challenge Benisumomo to a one-on-one fight.
- トウワタ:
- 「そのですね… ベニセンパイは才能があるのにそれにかまけて、ぜんっぜん努力しないんです。」
- “Well, you see... Beni-senpai has talent, but she takes it for granted and doesn't put in any effort at all.”
- Literal: “Well... Beni-senpai has talent, but she relies on that and doesn't make any effort at all.”
- 「いっつも一人で昼寝するってどっか行って。」
- “She always go off somewhere to take a nap alone.”
- “Well, you see... Beni-senpai has talent, but she takes it for granted and doesn't put in any effort at all.”
有能 (Competent)
有能 means competent, capable, or talented. It describes someone who has the ability to achieve successful results.
It combines 有 (have) with 能 (ability) to show possessing ability.
Detective Mouri is invited as a special guest to the birthday party for Reika, daughter of the Yotsui Group’s chairman. At the event, Reika announces her intent to marry.
- 霊化:
- 「そう思って今日のパーティーにも、有能そうな男性を数人、お招きしてますわ…」
- “With that in mind, I've invited several promising gentlemen to today's party...”
無能 (Incompetent)
無能 means incompetent, incapable, or inefficient. It describes a lack of ability, talent, or usefulness, and can refer to the state itself or a person who lacks these qualities.
It combines 無 (nothing) with 能 (ability) to show lack of ability.
Police detective Yokomizo isn’t about to let Sasai, his prime murder suspect, leave. Sasai reminds the officer that he has photographic proof that he wasn’t near the victim at the time of the murder. He calls for Detective Mouri to back him up.
- 笹井:
- 「名探偵のあなたからもいってやってくださいよ。 この刑事がいかに無能かという事を…」
- “You, the great detective, should tell him yourself. Just how incompetent this police detective is...”
Exceptional Powers
超能力 (Psychic power)
超能力 refers to special abilities that allow people to do things normal humans cannot. The term describes supernatural phenomena that cannot be rationally explained by modern science.
It combines 超 (exceed), 能 (ability), and 力 (power) to show extraordinary power.
Nishikata and Takagi compete to see who can score higher on the long jump in physical education class. When Nishika lands his jump, he’s a bit shaky. He watches as the spectating Takagi sweeps her arms as if to knock him over, and he falls back, lowering his score. Takagi gives her condolences afterward.
- 西片:
- 「高木さんて…もしかして、超能力使えるの？」
- “Takagi... could it be... you have psychic powers?”
Functional Capacity
機能 (Function)
機能 means the function, role, or work that a object or system naturally possesses. It refers to the specific action or performance that a part fulfills to achieve a certain purpose.
It combines 機 (machine) with 能 (ability) to show mechanical ability.
A murder suspect explains how when he called the victim, the phone kept ringing until the answering machine picked up.
- 目暮:
- 「奥さん！ここの留守番電話の機能は？」
- “Ma'am! How does this answering machine function?”
- Literal: “Ma'am! What is the function of this answering machine?”
- “Ma'am! How does this answering machine function?”
- 奥さん:
- 「は、はい… 十数回コールしても出ない時は、自動的に留守番電話に切り替わるようになってます…」
- “Well... When there's no answer after ten rings, it automatically switches to the answering machine...”
機能 refers to the mechanical function of the answering machine.
性能 (Performance)
性能 means performance, capability, or efficiency, specifically referring to the properties of a machine or product and the degree of ability it can demonstrate.
It combines 性 (nature) with 能 (ability) to show inherent capability or performance characteristics.
Professor Agasa gives Conan a tracking device. He eagerly looks for an opportunity to see how it works.
- コナン:
- 「そうだ！蘭に付けてこれの性能試してみっか！！」
- “I know! I'll stick it on Ran and see how it performs!!”
Natural Disposition
本能 (Instinct)
本能 means instinct. It refers to an innate nature or impulse in humans and animals that drives specific behaviors or desires. It does not require learning or past experience; instead, it triggers actions unconsciously and reflexively.
It combines 本 (origin) with 能 (ability) to show innate capability.
Yui and her friends are in their secret base when a pigeon flies in and lands on the table between them. The group’s cat, Colonel Monochrome, leaps after it, but the pigeon escapes.
- 結衣:
- 「ビックリしたー」
- “That surprised me!”
- 琴葉:
- 「大佐が本能をむき出しにしたな」
- “The Colonel laid bare his instincts.”
Possibility
可能 (Possible)
可能 means that something “can be achieved” or “is actually possible”. It refers to a state where an action is doable or permitted.
It combines 可 (can) with 能 (ability) to show possibility.
After handing test results to class, the teacher talks about theories of time travel.
- 先生:
- 「タイムマシンを作る事は私は可能だと考えています」
- “I believe it is possible to build a time machine.”
不可能 (Impossible)
不可能 means that doing or achieving something is completely out of reach, or describes a state where something cannot be done.
It combines 不 (not) with 可能 (possible) to show the absence of possibility.
Sonoko is invited to a band’s after party. During the get-together, the band’s singer Tatsuya eats a rice ball only to collapse and die. The police are called in, and Inspector Megure discovers the victim was poisoned. He accuses the man who prepared the food, but Conan bites into a rice ball to show it’s safe. The victim’s manager, Mari, agrees.
- 麻理:
- 「無差別殺人ならともかく、たまたま達也が食べたオニギリだけに、あらかじめ毒を仕込むのは不可能じゃありません？」
- “If it were indiscriminate murder, that's one thing but since it was just the rice ball Tatsuya happened to eat, wouldn't it be impossible to poison it beforehand?”
- 目暮:
- 「た、確かにそうだが…」
- “Th-that's true.”
万能 (Almighty)
万能 means being able to handle all things or being useful for every purpose.
It combines 万 (ten thousand) with 能 (ability) to show unlimited ability or versatility.
Urushi asks Rin about what Ayumu was like in middle school.
- うるし:
- 「真面目だけど少し抜けてていつも真剣で勉強苦手でスポーツ万能か」
- “Serious but a bit absent-minded, always earnest, struggles with academics, but excels at sports, huh?”
- Literal: “Serious, but a little scatterbrained, always earnest, bad at studying, and all-purpose at sports, huh?”
- “Serious but a bit absent-minded, always earnest, struggles with academics, but excels at sports, huh?”