能力 and 実力: developing an ability and demonstrating competence
Compare nurturing or using an ability with competence shown in performance, without imposing a fixed potential-versus-score division.
Developing and applying 能力
能力 (のうりょく) refers to an ability to do something. The example 「経験を通して問題を見つける能力が育った。」 is translated as “Experience developed my ability to identify problems.” Identify the ability being developed or drawn out.
The example 「自分の能力を生かせる役割を選んだ。」 is translated as “I chose a role that made use of my abilities.” 生かせる describes a role in which the ability can be used. Choosing the role is completed; the Japanese sentence does not separately report having performed that work.
Demonstrating 実力
実力 (じつりょく) refers to competence someone actually possesses. The example 「本番では緊張せず実力を十分に発揮できた。」 is translated as “I stayed calm and fully demonstrated my ability during the event.” Check the situation in which the competence is demonstrated.
The example 「彼の実力なら、難しい役もきっと演じられる。」 is translated as “With his skill, he can surely perform even the difficult role.” This judges that with his skill he can surely perform even the difficult role. The condition なら and possibility 演じられる do not report a completed performance.
The ability and its performance context
These examples contrast developing or using an ability with the focus on demonstrated competence. They do not make 能力 exclusively unexpressed potential or 実力 exclusively an examination score.
Read the ability together with the setting in which it is shown. The ranges can overlap, and evidence about an ability and its execution can concern the same person.
What do we check separately in a sentence about developing 能力 and one about demonstrating 実力?
Show the answer and why
Identify the ability developed or used in the first and the actual performance setting in the second. Do not impose a potential-versus-score division or extend competence shown in one setting to every field.