The key capability of natural language processing (NLP) is its ability to understand, interpret, and generate human language. Through advanced algorithms, NLP enables computers to analyze text, speech, and sentiment, allowing for meaningful interactions between machines and humans. Applications of NLP include language translation, chatbots, virtual assistants, and text summarization, making it a pivotal technology in the realm of artificial intelligence. By processing large amounts of natural language data, NLP enhances user experiences and improves accessibility while bridging the gap between human communication and computational understanding.