才干 cáigàn ability
ability; competence
How to remember 才干: 才 only just + 干 do = ability.
Characters
How it is used
- Practical ability and competence to get things done - 施展才干 (shīzhǎn cáigàn) to put one's talents to use.
- Emphasizes capability in real work/leadership, more action-oriented than 才华 (cáihuá, artistic/literary brilliance).
- Formal-ish; common in evaluating a person's capacity: 有才干 (yǒu cáigàn) capable.