French Conversation · Level 44
75 words
French word
capacité
Pronunciation
IPA/kapasite/
Meaning
- feminine nounability
Example
Elle a la capacité de parler trois langues.
She has the ability to speak three languages.
More examples
La salle a une capacité d'accueil de cent personnes.
The room has a seating capacity of one hundred people.
Core concept
A container with room to hold something, extended to the inner power to take on an action.
Common phrases
avoir la capacité de
have the ability to ___
capacité d'accueil
seating capacity
capacité maximale
maximum capacity
Similar words
compétence: Learned ability and technical skill in a specific area.
Definition in French
Aptitude ou faculté d'accomplir une action; sens secondaire : mesure du volume ou du nombre admis.
Word origin
French capacité comes from Latin capacitas, based on capax, 'able to contain', from capere, 'take'.
Usage tips
- For personal ability, everyday French often uses être capable de or pouvoir, while capacité sounds more formal or abstract.
Other meanings
- talentnoun
- capacitynoun
- seating capacitynoun
Opposites
- incapacitéinabilitynoun
Related words
- capablecapableadjective