Translation of "skill"

[Manuel]

My dictionary gives all of the following (!) as translations for "skill/ability":

habilidad, maña, tino, destreza, soltura, prestez.

What is the difference between these?

Thanks in advance!

Manuel

[Rusty]

What is your context? The different translations are for different meanings or nuances.

[Manuel]

Well, that's the problem I always have with dictionary translations: they often mention many different translations without explaining the context! I often try to look up words I don't know in the dictionary when I'm trying to think in Spanish and I realize I don't know a certain word but then I don't know which translation would be appropriate to use for the thing I want to say.

What would you suggest to do in that case?

In this particular case I don't remember the exact context anymore, but I am speaking in general here.

[Rusty]

Except for the last entry you wrote, which isn't Spanish, all can mean skill, but with different uses.

According to the dictionary I use:
habilidad = the ability to do something (natural ability)
destreza = the ability to do something (acquired ability)
maña = knack, aptitude, expertise
tino = judgment, knack, ace (able to find, hit, get something easily)
soltura = ability to do something with ease
presteza = quick/diligent to do something

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

What would you suggest to do in that case?


Use a Spanish dictionary and check entry by entry until you find the word that best matches what you mean. :)

[Sancho Panther]

¡Pericia, pero no me preguntes a mi, yo soy guiri!