ability, talent, skill, capacity
能 centers on inherent power or potential: the ability, talent, skill, or capacity to do something. It refers to what someone or something is capable of.
能 originally depicted a bear-like animal, but its modern meaning of ability or talent is a phonetic loan. The character was borrowed for its sound to represent capability, and the original animal sense is now written as 熊.
The shape resembles a strong creature with claws (匕) and a body (月/厶). Imagine a powerful bear showing its ability and talent.
For ノウ, think of a person with great ability saying 'I know' (ノウ sounds like 'know'). Their talent is knowing how to do things.
possible; potential; practicable; feasible
function; facility; faculty; feature
ability; faculty
ability; performance; efficiency
impossible
public entertainment; performing arts
talent; ability
entertainer; performer; celebrity; entertainment personality
impossible; incapable (of doing); unable (to do)
talent; gift; function
intelligence; intellect; brains
instinct
technical skill; ability; capacity
able; capable; competent; talented; efficient
radioactivity
proficient; skilled; skillful; good; accomplished
all-purpose; utility; universal
incompetence; inefficiency; inability; incapacity
high efficiency; high performance
effect; effectiveness; efficacy; virtue; benefit
activity
efficiency
occupational ability
noh play