γγγ¨γ γ§γγΎγ
...koto ga dekimasu
Can do / Be able to do.
πΈ Expressing Ability and Possibility πΈ
π¬ Dialogue
Anna-san wa, ryouri o tsukuru koto ga dekimasu ka.
Anna, can you cook?
Hai, sukoshi tsukuru koto ga dekimasu.
Yes, I can cook a little.
Sugoi desu ne! Kanji o yomu koto mo dekimasu ka.
That's great! Can you also read Kanji?
Iie, yomu koto wa dekimasen. Muzukashii desu.
No, I cannot read them. It's difficult.
Piano o hiku koto wa dekimasu ka.
Can you play the piano?
Hai, piano o hiku koto ga dekimasu.
Yes, I can play the piano.
π Vocabulary
5 wordsβ Key Sentence
[Verb] koto ga dekimasu.
I can [verb].
- Pattern: V-dictionary + γγ¨γ γ§γγΎγ
- Meaning: Expresses ability or possibility.
Unten suru koto ga dekimasu.
I can drive.
Oyogu koto ga dekimasu.
I can swim.
π Explanation
To express ability or potential in a polite way, we use the pattern γγγγ¨γγ§γγΎγγ.
First, take the dictionary form of a verb (e.g., taberu, iku). Adding koto turns the verb into a noun phrase.
γ is the subject marker, and γ§γγΎγ means 'can do' or 'is possible'.
To make it negative (cannot do), change it to γγγγ¨γγ§γγΎγγγ.
Nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu.
= 'I can speak Japanese.'
Sashimi o taberu koto ga dekimasu.
= 'I can eat sashimi.'
π Quiz
How do you say 'I can read Kanji' politely?