क्षमता (kshamtaa)

noun A single-sense abstract noun meaning capacity, ability, or capability -- the potential to do something, whether physical, mental, or mechanical.
Sense 1 : capacity, ability, capability
noun, feminine
Synonyms: योग्यता (yogytaa), सामर्थ्य (saamarthy), ताकत (taakat, everyday, more physical strength)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: This word shows up constantly in formal and institutional contexts -- job ads asking about काम करने की क्षमता (kaam karne kii kshamtaa, 'capacity to work'), engineering specs quoting a machine's क्षमता (kshamtaa, 'capacity/output'), or even self-help talk about अपनी क्षमता को पहचानो (apnii kshamtaa ko pahchaano, 'recognize your own potential'). It sits a notch more formal than योग्यता (yogytaa), which leans toward 'qualification/eligibility' in everyday speech.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for ताकत (taakat) when क्षमता (kshamtaa) is meant -- ताकत (taakat) leans toward raw physical strength, while क्षमता (kshamtaa) is the broader, more formal word for capacity or potential (mental, technical, institutional, etc.). 2) क्षमता (kshamtaa) usually pairs with की (kii) before a following verb-noun, as in काम करने की क्षमता (kaam karne kii kshamtaa, 'the capacity to work') -- learners sometimes drop की (kii) and just stack the infinitive directly.
Sample Sentences:
इस मशीन की उत्पादन क्षमता बहुत ज़्यादा है। This machine's production capacity is very high.
(is mashiin kii utpaadan kshamtaa bahut zyaadaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
कंपनी हर उम्मीदवार की काम करने की क्षमता जाँचती है। The company checks every candidate's capacity to work.
(kampnii har ummiidvaar kii kaam karne kii kshamtaa jaanchtii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अपनी क्षमता को पहचानो और आगे बढ़ो। Recognize your own potential and move forward.
(apnii kshamtaa ko pahchaano aur aage badho।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
उसकी सहनशक्ति की क्षमता पहले से बढ़ गई है। His capacity for endurance has increased compared to before.
(uskii sahanshakti kii kshamtaa pahle se badh gaii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर हमारी उत्पादन क्षमता दोगुनी होती, तो हम यह ऑर्डर ले सकते थे। If our production capacity were double, we could have taken this order.
(agar hamaarii utpaadan kshamtaa dogunii hotii, to ham yah ordar le sakte the।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि इस बांध की जल-भंडारण क्षमता बढ़ाई जानी चाहिए। Experts believe that this dam's water-storage capacity should be increased.
(visheshgyon kaa maannaa hai ki is baandh kii jal-bhandaaran kshamtaa badhaaii jaanii chaahie।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
हो सकता है उसकी सीखने की क्षमता औरों से ज़्यादा हो। It's possible that his capacity to learn is greater than others'.
(ho saktaa hai uskii siikhne kii kshamtaa auron se zyaadaa ho।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
इस हॉल की बैठने की क्षमता पाँच सौ लोगों की है। This hall's seating capacity is five hundred people.
(is hol kii baithne kii kshamtaa paanch sau logon kii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
सरकार ने बिजली संयंत्र की क्षमता बढ़ाने की योजना बनाई। The government made a plan to increase the power plant's capacity.
(sarkaar ne bijlii sanyantr kii kshamtaa badhaane kii yojnaa banaaii।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
क्रिकेट स्टेडियम की दर्शक क्षमता हर साल जाँची जाती है। The cricket stadium's spectator capacity is checked every year.
(kriket stediyam kii darshak kshamtaa har saal jaanchii jaatii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct): क्षमता (kshamtaa)
(sg.f.oblique): क्षमता (kshamtaa)
(pl.f.direct): क्षमताएँ (kshamtaaen)
(pl.f.oblique): क्षमताओं (kshamtaaon)