Compétente

Compétente is the feminine form of the French adjective compétent. It describes someone who is capable, qualified, or otherwise suitable to perform a task or hold a position. The term is commonly used to refer to a person, an institution, or a body that has the necessary knowledge, skills, or authority for a specific domain. For example, on peut dire: une médecin compétente, une autorité compétente, or une juridiction compétente, where the adjective agrees with the feminine noun.

Etymology and meaning: competently derives from Latin competere, meaning to fit together or to be suitable. In modern French, the sense emphasizes proven ability or appropriateness for a particular role or duty, rather than mere potential. The related noun is compétence, which can denote skill, area of expertise, or the jurisdiction of an authority.

Usage and forms: the masculine form is compétent, the feminine form is compétente, and both have plural forms compétents (masculine) and compétentes (feminine). Common constructions include il est compétent dans ce domaine, elle est compétente pour ce travail, and la juridiction compétente. In professional contexts, phrases like compétences professionnelles refer to a person’s skill set rather than a single quality.

Relation to the noun: compétence refers to competence as a capacity, skill, or area of responsibility; compétence can also mean the legal or administrative authority vested in an entity.

See also: compétence, compétences professionnelles, qualification, capacité.