できる
dekiru[de̞kʲiɾɯ̟]
The English phrase "you can do something" is expressed in Japanese using できる (dekiru).
This phrase is used to say that someone has the ability or permission to perform a specific action. Beyond expressing ability, できる can also mean that something has been completed or has become ready (e.g., 'dinner is ready'). To express that someone has acquired a new skill or has become able to do something they couldn't before, use the form できるようになった.
Which one should you use?
～できる is the simplest and most widely used phrase for expressing abilities in an informal context. ～ことができます is a general and polite way to express your ability to do something. ～することが可能です conveys the possibility of doing something and is used in more formal contexts. The past tense of the ability expression is できた in informal speech and できました in formal speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using a noun to express ability, the particle が is used instead of を before できる.
How do you pronounce it?
dekiru
Did you know?
- The phrase できる traces its roots back to the 8th-century poetry collection Man'yōshū, where it originally meant 'to come out' or 'to appear'.
- The expression できる is used to describe a person who is capable and competent in a general sense. Calling someone できる人 means they are a high achiever or a 'go-getter'.
- In Japanese, if you are asked if you 'can' do something but you want to decline politely without saying 'no', you might say ちょっと… which means 'a bit…'.
Examples in context
- 料理ができます。I can cook.
- 日本語を話すことができます。I can speak Japanese.
- プレゼンテーションをすることが可能です。I am able to give a presentation.
- 運転ができる。I can drive.
- 絵が得意です。I am good at drawing.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about their skills.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは料理ができる？Kenta-san wa ryouri ga dekiru?Kenta, can you cook?
- 健太 Kentaうん、簡単な料理ならできるよ。Un, kantan na ryouri nara dekiru yo.Yes, I can make simple dishes.
- 陽葵 Himariすごいね！いつか作ってね。Sugoi ne! Itsuka tsukutte ne.That's great! Please make something for me someday.
- 健太 Kentaいいよ。楽しみにしていてね。Ii yo. Tanoshimi ni shite ite ne.Sure. Look forward to it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry できる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries できる, CC BY-SA 4.0.
