Он способный инспектор.

He is a capable inspector.

Breakdown of Он способный инспектор.

• он: he
• способный: capable
• инспектор: the inspector

Questions & Answers about Он способный инспектор.

Why is there no word for is in Он способный инспектор?

In Russian, the verb to be is usually omitted in the present tense.

So:

• Он способный инспектор literally looks like He capable inspector
• but it means He is a capable inspector

This is completely normal in Russian. Compare:

• Он студент = He is a student
• Она врач = She is a doctor

If you talk about the past or future, a form of быть appears:

• Он был способным инспектором = He was a capable inspector
• Он будет способным инспектором = He will be a capable inspector

What does способный mean here exactly?

Here способный means something like:

• capable
• able
• talented
• competent

With a profession noun like инспектор, the most natural English idea is usually capable or competent.

So Он способный инспектор means that he is good at his job as an inspector.

It is not exactly the same as умный (smart/intelligent). Someone can be intelligent, but способный emphasizes ability or talent.

Why is способный in the form -ый?