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"Habilidades" is a form of "habilidad", a noun which is often translated as "ability". "Cualidades" is a form of "cualidad", a noun which is often translated as "quality". Learn more about the difference between "habilidades" and "cualidades" below.
la habilidad(
ah
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bee
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lee
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dahd
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (capability)
a. ability
Como político, ha desarrollado la habilidad de hablar sin decir nada.As a politician, he's developed the ability to talk without saying anything.
b. skill
Cantar bien es una habilidad que cualquiera puede aprender con el profesor adecuado y suficiente práctica.Singing well is a skill anyone can learn with the right teacher and enough practice.
2. (legal)
a. competence
Tengo motivos de preocupación en cuanto a la habilidad de este testigo, ya que es un menor de edad.I have reasons for concern about the competence of this witness since he's a minor.
la cualidad(
kwah
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lee
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dahd
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. quality (of a person)
La curiosidad puede ser una cualidad positiva o negativa.Curiosity can be a positive or a negative quality.
b. property (of a plant or a substance)
Las cualidades inherentes del acero son dureza y resilencia.The inherent properties of steel are hardness and resilience.
c. attribute
Estos héroes encarnan cualidades caballerescas, como un marcado sentido del honor.These heroes embody knightly attributes, such as an acute sense of honor.