Kiingereza

able

gb/ˈeɪbəl/ us/ˈeɪbəl/
A2 Kiingereza
~ 400
Maana
maana 0
adjective A2 property
1

Having the power or skill

Having the skill, strength, or power to do something.

Muundo wa matumizi: [someone] is able to [verb]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'able to' with 'can'; 'can' is often used for general ability, while 'able to' is more formal or for specific situations.
Visawe
capable (Similar meaning but can also describe general potential rather than immediate ability.)
Vinyume
unable (Direct opposite, meaning lacking the ability to do something.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
able to work |able to help |able to speak
Mada
daily life |abilities |work |core_vocabulary
Mifano
  • She is able to finish the project on time.
  • He was able to lift the heavy box by himself.
  • After months of training, I am finally able to run five kilometers without stopping.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
  • I am able to swim.
  • She is able to read English.
  • We are able to play the guitar.
adjective B1 property
2

Intelligent or competent

Smart or good at doing something.

Muundo wa matumizi: an able [person/professional]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners might mix this meaning with 'able to' + verb, which expresses possibility rather than describing a person’s qualities.
Visawe
competent (Suggests having adequate skill without necessarily being exceptional.)
Vinyume
incompetent (Lacking the necessary skill or ability for a task.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
an able leader |an able student |an able worker
Mada
work |education
Mifano
  • She proved herself to be an able negotiator.
  • The company is looking for an able programmer to join their team.
  • He is one of the most able students in the class.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
  • She is an able teacher.
  • He is an able driver.
  • They are able workers.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
able
IPA
GB/ˈeɪbəl/
US/ˈeɪbəl/
Silabi na mkazo
able (silabi 1)
Stress on 1st syllable (able)
Maumbo ya neno
Adjective
  • Base: able
  • Comparative: abler
  • Superlative: ablest
Familia ya neno
Forms
abler adjective ablest adjective
Core family
ability noun A2 enable verb B1
Related words
disable verb B2 disability noun B1 disabled adjective B1
Negative and opposite forms
unable adjective A2 inability noun B2
Advanced or less common
ably adverb
Semi

be able to

1
/bˈi ˈeɪbəl tə/
fixed phrase

Have the ability to do something

To have the skill, strength, or time to do something.

Mifano
  • I will be able to meet you tomorrow.
  • She wasn’t able to finish her homework before dinner.

better able to

2
/bˈɛtɚ ˈeɪbəl tə/
fixed phrase

Have more ability than before/others

To have more skill or power than before, or compared to someone else.

Mifano
  • After the training, he is better able to handle customer complaints.
  • This software makes us better able to track sales data.

Karibu tena!

Tafadhali ingia ili uendelee

Huna akaunti? Jisajili