able

['eɪbl]

aggettivo

1) (having ability to)

to be able to do — poter fare, saper fare, essere capace di fare, riuscire a fare

she was able to play the piano at the age of four — sapeva suonare il piano a quattro anni

2) (skilled) [lawyer, teacher etc.] abile, capace; (gifted) [child] dotato

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Note:

To be able to meaning can is usually translated by the verb potere: I was not able to go = non ci sono potuto andare; I was not able to help him = non ho potuto aiutarlo. - The main exception to this occurs when to be able to implies the acquiring of a skill, when sapere is used: he's nine and he's still not able to read = ha nove anni e ancora non sa leggere. - Note that to be able to in the past is translated by riuscire, especially when some effort is implied: compare He could swim very well = sapeva nuotare benissimo, and he was able to swim ashore before he fainted = riuscì a nuotare fino a riva prima di svenire. - For more examples and other uses, see the entry below

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['eibl]

adjective

1) (having enough strength, knowledge etc to do something: He was able to open the door; He will come if he is able.) capace

2) (clever and skilful; capable: a very able nurse.) competente

3) (legally competent: able to vote.) idoneo

•

- ably

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['eɪbl]

aggettivo

1) (having ability to)

to be able to do — poter fare, saper fare, essere capace di fare, riuscire a fare

she was able to play the piano at the age of four — sapeva suonare il piano a quattro anni

2) (skilled) [lawyer, teacher etc.] abile, capace; (gifted) [child] dotato

••

Note:

To be able to meaning can is usually translated by the verb potere: I was not able to go = non ci sono potuto andare; I was not able to help him = non ho potuto aiutarlo. - The main exception to this occurs when to be able to implies the acquiring of a skill, when sapere is used: he's nine and he's still not able to read = ha nove anni e ancora non sa leggere. - Note that to be able to in the past is translated by riuscire, especially when some effort is implied: compare He could swim very well = sapeva nuotare benissimo, and he was able to swim ashore before he fainted = riuscì a nuotare fino a riva prima di svenire. - For more examples and other uses, see the entry below