はい、できます
hai, dekimasu
The English phrase "yes, I can" is translated into Japanese as はい、できます (hai, dekimasu).
はい、できます is used to express capability or permission in response to a question about whether something is possible.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of はい (yes) and できます (can do/is possible).
Which one should you use?
While はい、できます is the polite way to say "yes, I can," you might encounter はい、できる when the speaker is using the informal version of the verb. For a more objective or slightly different nuance of capability, はい、可能です can be used to mean "Yes, it’s possible."
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb できます is in the polite masu form, which makes the entire response polite.
How do you pronounce it?
hai, dekimasu
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone and context, はい can actually mean 'no' if the speaker is agreeing with a negative question. For example, if asked 'You can't do this, right?', はい confirms the inability.
- In Japanese, the verb できます actually comes from できる, which literally means 'to come into existence' or 'to be made'. This is why the phrase focuses more on the possibility of the task being completed than on the person's own power.
- When responding to a request to do something, rather than saying 'I can', Japanese people often use 承知いたしました or わかりました to mean 'I understand/I will do it'. In Japanese culture, confirming your understanding is often more important than confirming your ability.
Examples in context
- 漢字が書けますか？ はい、できます。Kanji ga kakemasu ka? Hai, dekimasu.Can you write kanji? Yes, I can.
- 明日、手伝えますか？ はい、できます。Ashita, tetsudaemasu ka? Hai, dekimasu.Can you help tomorrow? Yes, I can.
Example conversation
Kenta asks Misaki if she can use a computer.
- 美咲 Misakiパソコンが使えますか。Pasokon ga tsukaemasu ka?Can you use a computer?
- 健太 Kentaはい、できます。Hai, dekimasu.Yes, I can.
- 美咲 Misaki助かります。お願いします。Tasukarimasu. Onegaishimasu.That helps. Please do it.
- 健太 Kentaわかりました。Wakarimashita.I understand.
