私たちならできる
Watashitachi nara dekiru
The English phrase "we can do it" is translated into Japanese as 私たちならできる (Watashitachi nara dekiru).
私たちならできる is used to boost morale or express collective confidence in a team's ability to overcome a challenge. It conveys the idea that a group of people possesses the capability to successfully achieve a goal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "If it is us, we can do it". The particle なら (nara) functions as a conditional "if", implying "if it is us (specifically), then we can do it".
How do you pronounce it?
Watashitachi nara dekiru
Did you know?
- The verb できる is also used to describe a new building or shop 'appearing' or being completed in a neighborhood.
- If a leader wants to inspire a team, they might avoid 'can do' entirely and use 頑張ろう (ganbarou), which focuses on the virtue of 'working hard' rather than the certainty of success.
- To express a more gritty, visceral determination to succeed, speakers often switch from できる (dekiru) to やれる (yareru), which shifts the focus from having the skill to having the guts.
Examples in context
- 私たちならできる。We can do it.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 私たちならできる.Tatoeba #8555834 by small_snow, translation #3823421 by CK
- 私たちはこの仕事を成功させることができると思います。I believe we can make this job a success.
- みんな、頑張ろう！Let's do our best, everyone!
- 最後まで諦めなければ、私たちならできる。Saigo made akiramenakereba, watashitachi nara dekiru.If we don't give up until the end, we can do it.
- このプロジェクト、私たちならできるはずだ。Kono purojekuto, watashitachi nara dekiru hazu da.We should be able to do this project.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their difficult group presentation.
- 結衣 Yui準備は大変だけど、私たちならできるよ。Junbi wa taihen dakedo, watashitachi nara dekiru yo.The preparation is tough, but we can do it.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね、結衣さんと一緒に頑張るよ。Sou dane, Yui-san to issho ni ganbaru yo.That's right, I'll do my best together with you, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くんの意見もすごく頼りになるわ。Youta-kun no iken mo sugoku tayori ni naru wa.Your opinions are very reliable too, Youta.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう、最高の発表にしよう！Arigatou, saikou no hapyou ni shiyou!Thanks, let's make it the best presentation!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
