competent
gb/kˈɑmpətɪnt/ us/kˈɑmpətɪnt/
B2
English
~ 9100
hozzáértő, korrekt, elfogadható, illetékes, kompetens
B2
1
hozzáértő
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is competent (at [doing something] / in [a subject or area])
She is a highly competent project manager who always meets her deadlines.
Ő egy rendkívül hozzáértő projektmenedzser, aki mindig tartja a határidőit.
You need a competent mechanic to deal with a problem this complex.
Egy hozzáértő szerelőre van szükséged egy ilyen bonyolult probléma megoldásához.
The report was written by a team of competent researchers.
He is competent in both spoken and written Japanese.
The company is looking for someone who is competent at handling customer complaints.
Learner examples
My doctor is very competent and I trust her.
Az orvosom nagyon hozzáértő, és bízom benne.
We need a competent driver for this long trip.
Erre a hosszú útra egy hozzáértő sofőrre van szükségünk.
She is competent at using a computer.
The new manager seems competent in his job.
I want to be competent in English before I travel.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "competent" with "competitive". "Competent" means able to do something well enough; "competitive" means wanting to win or being able to win. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: say "competent at doing something" or "competent in a subject", not "competent of".
Meaning
having enough skill or ability
Collocations
a competent worker
|a competent teacher
|highly competent
|technically competent
|competent in [a field]
Synonyms
capable (Very close in meaning; often slightly more positive and broader, not only about skill but also general ability.)
Antonyms
incompetent (States that someone clearly lacks the basic skill or ability needed to do a task.)
Themes
work
|education
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
able to do something well enough, because you have the right skill and knowledge.
Having the necessary skill, knowledge, or ability to do something effectively and correctly.
B2
2
korrekt
B2
elfogadható
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is competent (but [comment about lack of excellence])
The film was competent but hardly memorable.
A film korrekt volt, de aligha emlékezetes.
Her presentation was competent, though it lacked energy and originality.
Az előadása korrekt volt, bár hiányzott belőle az energia és az eredetiség.
It was a competent translation, but a native speaker could improve the style.
The restaurant offers competent service, but nothing that makes it stand out.
He gave a competent performance, but the role needed someone truly charismatic.
Learner examples
The book is competent, but not very interesting.
A könyv elfogadható, de nem túl érdekes.
His work is competent, but not great.
A munkája korrekt, de nem kiemelkedő.
The new chef is competent, so the food is fine.
Her drawing is competent, but it does not move me.
The team played a competent game, but they did not win.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "competent" is a strong compliment like "excellent". In this sense, it often means only that something is fine or acceptable, and can even suggest that it is a bit boring or not special.
Meaning
good enough but not outstanding
Collocations
a competent performance
|competent but uninspired
|perfectly competent
|competent writing
|competent but not outstanding
Synonyms
adequate (Emphasizes that something just meets the basic standard; often slightly more negative or minimal than "competent".)
Antonyms
poor (Describes work or performance that clearly fails to meet the expected standard.)
Themes
work
|arts
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
good enough to be okay, but not special or very good.
Of acceptable or satisfactory quality, but not particularly impressive or excellent.
C1
FORMAL
3
illetékes
C1
Usage pattern:
[an authority/body/court] is competent to [do something]
The application must be submitted to the competent authority in your country of residence.
A kérelmet a lakóhelye szerinti ország illetékes hatóságához kell benyújtani.
Only a court competent to hear criminal matters can decide this issue.
Erről a kérdésről csak a büntetőügyek elbírálására illetékes bíróság dönthet.
The complaint was filed before the competent national authorities.
Under the treaty, each state must designate a competent body to oversee compliance.
The board is not competent to rule on individual employment disputes.
Learner examples
You must send these papers to the competent authority.
Ezeket az iratokat az illetékes hatóságnak kell elküldened.
This is the competent court for this type of case.
Ez az ilyen típusú ügyekben illetékes bíróság.
That office is not competent to give you a visa.
Only a competent judge can make this decision.
The police said another department was competent to help me.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes apply the everyday skill meaning in legal texts and misunderstand phrases like "competent authority". In legal and official language, it usually means the body that has the legal power in that area, not that the staff are skilled.
Meaning
having legal or official authority
Collocations
competent authority
|competent court
|competent jurisdiction
|a court competent to hear the case
|the competent national authorities
Synonyms
authorized (Focuses on having permission or power; "competent" additionally implies formal responsibility or proper area of power.)
Antonyms
unauthorized (Lacks the legal permission or official power to act in a matter.)
Themes
law
|government
|administration
|business
Definition
having the official or legal right and power to make a decision or take action.
Having the legal power, official authority, or recognized responsibility to deal with a particular matter.
C2
TECHNICAL
4
kompetens
C2
Usage pattern:
[cells/bacteria] are competent (for [transformation])
The plasmid was introduced into the competent cells by heat shock.
A plazmidot hősokkal juttatták be a kompetens sejtekbe.
We prepared chemically competent bacteria for transformation.
Kémiailag kompetens baktériumokat készítettünk elő a transzformációhoz.
Only competent cells can efficiently incorporate the foreign DNA.
The protocol describes how to make E. coli competent for electroporation.
Transformation efficiency depends on how competent the cells are.
Learner examples
In this lab, we use competent cells to take in new DNA.
Ebben a laborban kompetens sejteket használunk új DNS felvételéhez.
The scientist made the bacteria competent before adding the plasmid.
A kutató kompetenssé tette a baktériumokat, mielőtt hozzáadta a plazmidot.
Only competent cells can get the new gene.
The teacher showed us how to prepare competent bacteria.
These cells are not competent, so the DNA will not enter.
Common mistake:
Outside of biology, learners may not recognize this special technical meaning and misread it as general 'skilled' or 'able'. In scientific texts, however, it refers specifically to the cell state for DNA uptake.
Meaning
able to take up foreign DNA (biology)
Collocations
competent cells
|genetically competent bacteria
|preparing competent cells
|transformation of competent cells
Synonyms
transformable (Technical term emphasizing the ability to undergo genetic transformation; used mainly in specialist contexts.)
Antonyms
non-competent (Used in technical contexts to describe cells that cannot take up external DNA.)
Themes
science
|biology
|medicine
Definition
in biology, describing cells that can take in new DNA from outside the cell.
In microbiology and genetics, describing cells that are in a physical and physiological state that allows them to take up external DNA from their environment.
Grammar
Dictionary form
competent
IPA
GB/kˈɑmpətɪnt/
US/kˈɑmpətɪnt/
Syllables & stress
com - pet - ent (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: competent
Word family
Core family
competence
noun B2
competently
adverb
Related words
competency
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
competent authority
1/kˈɑmpətɪnt əθˈɔɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
official body with legal power
an official group or person that has the legal power to decide or act in a particular area.
Examples
- You must report any change of address to the competent authority.
- The competent authority will review your application and inform you of the decision.
- Each country must name a competent authority to enforce the new regulations.
competent court
1/kˈɑmpətɪnt kˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
formal
court that has jurisdiction
a court that has the legal right to hear and decide a certain kind of case.
Examples
- The dispute shall be settled by the competent court in the defendant's country.
- Only a competent court can issue such an order.
- The lawyer argued that the local court was not the competent court for this matter.
competent to stand trial
1/kˈɑmpətɪnt tə stˈænd tɹˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
formal
mentally able to face trial
having a clear enough mind to understand what happens in court and to help your lawyer, so that a trial can legally continue.
Examples
- Psychiatrists will evaluate whether the defendant is competent to stand trial.
- The judge ruled that she was not competent to stand trial at this time.
- If the accused is not competent to stand trial, the case may be delayed.
mentally competent
1/mˈɛntəli kˈɑmpətɪnt/
fixed phrase
able to make one’s own decisions
having a clear mind and enough understanding to make your own decisions and know what they mean.
Examples
- The doctor confirmed that the patient is mentally competent to sign the consent form.
- Only a mentally competent adult can make this kind of legal agreement.
- They questioned whether he was still mentally competent to manage his finances.