competence
gb/kˈɑmpətɪns/ us/kˈɑmpətɪns/
B2
English
~ 5300
hozzáértés, kompetencia, hatáskör, cselekvőképesség, döntési képesség, tárgyalásra való alkalmasság, genetikai kompetencia
NOUN
B2
1
hozzáértés
B2
kompetencia
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s competence in [activity]
Her competence in project management impressed the entire team.
Projektmenedzsmentben mutatott hozzáértése lenyűgözte az egész csapatot.
The company questioned his competence after several serious mistakes.
A cég több súlyos hiba után megkérdőjelezte a hozzáértését.
We need to assess the students' competence in written English before placing them in a class.
The surgeon's high level of competence made the patients feel safe.
Building digital competence is essential in many modern jobs.
Learner examples
She showed great competence in her new job.
Nagy hozzáértést mutatott az új munkájában.
The test measures your competence in English.
A teszt az angol nyelvi kompetenciádat méri.
His competence as a driver is very good.
They want to improve their computer competence.
The manager was happy with the team's competence.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "competence" with "competition" because they look similar. "Competence" means ability or skill, while "competition" means a contest between people. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition; in most cases, say "competence in" or "competence at" (e.g., "competence in English", "competence at driving").
Meaning
ability to do something well
Collocations
professional competence
|demonstrate competence
|high level of competence
|technical competence
|competence in [a field]
|core competence
Synonyms
ability (More general and common; does not always imply tested or proven skill, while competence suggests effective performance.)
|
skill (Focuses more on practical know‑how; competence can include knowledge, judgment, and responsibility as well as skill.)
|
proficiency (Often suggests a high degree of competence, especially in languages or technical areas.)
Antonyms
incompetence (Direct opposite; a clear lack of necessary ability or skill to do something properly.)
|
ineptitude (Stresses clumsiness or very poor performance, often sounding more critical or negative than incompetence.)
Themes
work
|education
|skills
|personal_development
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The ability and skill to do something well enough to get good results.
The ability, knowledge, and skill needed to do something successfully or effectively.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
kompetencia
B2
Usage pattern:
the competences required for [job/task]
The course aims to develop key competences needed in the modern workplace.
A kurzus célja a modern munkahelyen szükséges kulcskompetenciák fejlesztése.
Communication and teamwork are listed as core competences for this position.
A kommunikáció és a csapatmunka ennél a pozíciónál alapvető kompetenciaként szerepel.
The ministry has published national competence standards for primary teachers.
We are updating our competence framework to match new industry regulations.
Learner examples
This training builds the competences you need for the job.
Ez a képzés fejleszti azokat a kompetenciákat, amelyekre szükséged van a munkához.
Teamwork is an important competence in many companies.
A csapatmunka sok vállalatnál fontos kompetencia.
The school teaches digital competences to all students.
The company checks if workers have the right competences.
Common mistake:
Learners may not see a difference between this sense and the general ability sense. In HR and education texts, "competences" often means official lists of required skills, not just how good someone actually is. Also, some systems prefer the spelling "competency" for this formal sense.
Meaning
required skills for a role
Collocations
key competences
|core competences
|define competences
|competence framework
|competence profile
|competence standards
Synonyms
competency (Often used interchangeably in HR and education; in some systems, a "competency" is a single defined ability, while "competence" may refer to the overall standard.)
|
qualification (Focuses more on official certificates or status, while competence is about the actual abilities required.)
Antonyms
skills gap (A phrase, not a single word; describes the absence of required competences in a workforce.)
Themes
work
|education
|management
|business
Definition
The list of skills and knowledge that a person should have to do a certain job or task.
The specific set of skills, knowledge, and behaviors that are officially required or defined for a particular job, role, or task.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
hatáskör
B2
Usage pattern:
within [someone]'s / [an authority]'s competence
This issue falls within the competence of the local council.
Ez az ügy a helyi önkormányzat hatáskörébe tartozik.
Decisions on immigration lie outside the competence of regional governments.
A bevándorlással kapcsolatos döntések nem tartoznak a regionális kormányzatok hatáskörébe.
The court ruled that the matter was not within its competence.
Financial policy is primarily the competence of the central bank.
Learner examples
This problem is not within my competence.
Ez a probléma nem tartozik a hatáskörömbe.
Education policy is the competence of the national government.
Az oktatáspolitika a központi kormányzat hatáskörébe tartozik.
The case is outside the competence of this court.
Hiring staff is part of the manager's competence.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix this sense with personal ability. In the phrase "within my competence" here, it means "within my official role or responsibility", not just "within my skill level".
Meaning
official power or responsibility
Collocations
within someone's competence
|outside someone's competence
|the competence of the court
|jurisdiction and competence
|limited competence
|area of competence
Synonyms
jurisdiction (Very close in legal contexts; often refers specifically to the geographic or subject area where a court or authority has competence.)
|
remit (British English; focuses on the range of duties or responsibilities, often in organizational contexts.)
Antonyms
lack of authority (General phrase meaning the absence of the official power or right to act in a given area.)
Themes
law
|government
|business
|organization
|politics
Definition
The official right and power to make decisions about a certain area, especially in government or law.
The official power, authority, or responsibility to deal with a particular subject or to make certain decisions, especially in law or government.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
competence to [verb]
The court ordered a psychiatric evaluation to determine the defendant's competence to stand trial.
A bíróság pszichiátriai szakértői vizsgálatot rendelt el a vádlott tárgyalásra való alkalmasságának megállapítására.
Doctors must assess a patient's competence before accepting consent for surgery.
Az orvosoknak fel kell mérniük a beteg döntési képességét, mielőtt elfogadják a műtéthez adott beleegyezését.
His competence to manage his financial affairs was called into question.
The judge ruled that the witness lacked the necessary competence to give evidence.
Learner examples
The judge asked experts to check his competence to stand trial.
A bíró szakértőket kért fel, hogy vizsgálják meg, alkalmas-e a férfi a tárgyaláson való részvételre.
A doctor must test a patient's competence before big medical decisions.
Az orvosnak fontos orvosi döntések előtt fel kell mérnie a beteg döntési képességét.
They discussed her competence to sign the contract.
The court said he did not have the competence to make this decision.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse everyday "competence" (general ability) with this legal meaning. In phrases like "competence to stand trial", it specifically means mental capacity, not professional skill.
Meaning
mental capacity in law
Collocations
assess competence
|competence to stand trial
|competence to consent
|question someone's competence
|mental competence
Synonyms
capacity (In legal and medical contexts, often used in phrases like "mental capacity" with very similar meaning.)
Antonyms
incapacity (Legal/medical opposite, meaning the person does not have the mental ability to make decisions or take part in the process.)
Themes
law
|health
|psychology
Definition
The mental ability a person must have to understand what is happening and to make legal decisions, like going to trial or agreeing to medical treatment.
The mental ability of a person to understand information, make decisions, and take part in legal processes, such as standing trial or giving consent.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
bacterial competence for [process]
Natural competence allows some bacteria to take up DNA directly from their environment.
A természetes kompetencia lehetővé teszi, hogy egyes baktériumok közvetlenül DNS-t vegyenek fel a környezetükből.
Calcium chloride is often used to induce competence in E. coli cells.
A kalcium-kloridot gyakran használják arra, hogy kompetenciát indukáljanak E. coli-sejtekben.
The competence of the cells was verified before transformation.
Learner examples
Some bacteria have natural competence and can take in DNA.
Egyes baktériumok természetes kompetenciával rendelkeznek, és képesek DNS-t felvenni.
Scientists can induce competence in cells in the lab.
A tudósok a laboratóriumban kompetenssé tehetik a sejteket.
Competence is important for DNA transformation in bacteria.
Meaning
cell’s ability to take up DNA
Collocations
bacterial competence
|induce competence
|natural competence
|competence development
|competence factor
Synonyms
transformability (Specialist term in microbiology; emphasizes the ability to undergo genetic transformation.)
Antonyms
noncompetence (Specialist opposite used in some biological texts to indicate lack of ability to take up DNA.)
Themes
science
|biology
Definition
In biology, a special state when a cell can take in DNA from outside the cell.
In biology, the state of a cell in which it is able to take up genetic material, such as DNA, from its environment.
Grammar
Dictionary form
competence
IPA
GB/kˈɑmpətɪns/
US/kˈɑmpətɪns/
Syllables & stress
com - pet - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: competence
- Plural: competence, competences
Word family
Forms
competences
noun
Core family
competent
adjective B2
competently
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
competitiveness
noun B2
competitively
adverb
Expressions
core competence
1/kˈɔɹ kˈɑmpətɪns/
fixed phrase
technical
central organizational strength or skill
A main special skill or strength that makes a company strong and different from others.
Examples
- Innovation is seen as the company's core competence.
- They decided to outsource activities that were not part of their core competence.
outside someone's competence
1/aʊtsˈaɪd sˈʌmwˌʌnz kˈɑmpətɪns/
fixed phrase
formal
beyond someone's ability or authority
Not part of what a person is able or officially allowed to do.
Examples
- This legal issue is outside my competence; you should speak to a specialist.
- Foreign policy lies outside the competence of local councils.
professional competence
1/pɹəfˈɛʃənəl kˈɑmpətɪns/
fixed phrase
ability to do a job properly
The level of skill and knowledge needed to do a job in a correct and responsible way.
Examples
- Questions were raised about the doctor's professional competence after the incident.
- The firm invests heavily in training to maintain high professional competence.
within someone's competence
1/wɪðˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz kˈɑmpətɪns/
fixed phrase
formal
inside someone's ability or authority
To be part of what a person is able or officially allowed to do.
Examples
- Deciding on salaries is not within my competence.
- The matter is within the committee's competence and will be discussed next week.