habilidad
nounCEFR B2High frequency
What does “habilidad” mean in English?
skill, ability — a learned or natural capacity to do something well
skill, ability — a learned or natural capacity to do something well (habilidades sociales/comunicativas/digitales; desarrollar una habilidad)
Example sentences
Desarrollar habilidades de negociación es imprescindible para cualquiera que aspire a puestos directivos.
Developing negotiation skills is essential for anyone who aspires to management positions.
La habilidad para escuchar activamente es, según los estudios, uno de los predictores más fiables del liderazgo efectivo.
The ability to listen actively is, according to studies, one of the most reliable predictors of effective leadership.
No basta con tener la habilidad técnica; hay que saber comunicar los resultados de forma accesible.
Technical skill alone is not enough; you have to know how to communicate results accessibly.
How to use it
La habilidad (noun, feminine) means 'skill, ability' — a learned or natural capacity to do something well. At B2 it appears in academic, professional, and social contexts. Key collocations: desarrollar/adquirir/poner en práctica una habilidad; habilidades sociales/comunicativas/digitales; con gran habilidad. Distinguish from capacidad (general potential) and competencia (professional or formal competence). Habilidad implies a practised, often tangible skill; capacidad is broader.
Common mistake
Don't confuse habilidad (specific practised skill) with capacidad (capacity/potential) or talento (natural gift). 'Soft skills' = habilidades blandas (not *habilidades suaves). 'She has a skill for languages' = Tiene habilidad para los idiomas (not *tiene un skill). The plural habilidades is standard in job contexts.