How to say "able" in Japanese

• 有能ゆうのうJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounThe common, default word for 'able' in the sense of capable, competent, or talented; it treats ability as a quality of a person, and fits most contexts where English 'able' means capable.
• 腕こきうでこき
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveA noun meaning a capable, competent person, not ability as a quality. It is less common than 有能, and is the word you want only when English 'able' points to a capable person.
• 腕っこきうでっこき
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveA variant of 腕こき with the same meaning: a capable, competent person. Like its counterpart it is less common, and it is rarely the word you reach for to translate 'able' itself.
• 有為ゆうい
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers 'able' chiefly through the idea of promise: a person with talent and bright prospects. Less common, it is really about future promise rather than present competence, so it seldom substitutes for plain 'able'.
• 腕利きうできき
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveA noun for a highly skilled, very capable person; it stresses outstanding skill rather than mere competence. Less common, it suits 'able' only when real mastery is meant, not general ability.
  うちの一番いちばん腕利うでききの交渉者こうしょうしゃはいつも強引ごういんに有利ゆうりな取り引とりひきをする。↗

  Our best negotiators always drive a hard bargain.

Use 有能 for the ordinary sense of 'able' as a quality; the other four, all less common, describe capable people: 「腕利き」 stresses high skill, 「腕こき」 and 「腕っこき」 general capability, and 有為 promise.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 有能ゆうのうable
• 腕こきうでこきable
• 腕っこきうでっこきable
• 有為ゆういcapable
• 腕利きうでききhighly skilled