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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese grammar 〜ができる / 〜ことができる.
Imagine stepping into a new environment, eager to connect with others and make a strong impression, or you're sitting in a job interview, ready to impress with your skills and expertise.
If you are Versatile Culinary Expertise, you can say 「はじめまして、クレアです。私はいろいろな国の料理を 作ることができます（わたしは いろいろな くにの りょうりを つくることができます）」。
The grammatical structures "〜ができる" and "〜ことができる" are like spotlights on your ability.
Then, let's study "〜ができる" and "〜ことができる."
👉<Use>
"〜ができる" and "〜ことができる" are used to describe a person's ability.
In English, "できる" means "can" or "be able to."
Back to the self-introduction situation, the sentence 「私はいろいろな国の料理を作ることができます。」 means "I can cook many different cuisines from many different countries."
👉<Form>
In the case of nouns, the particle "が" is placed before "できます".
料理（りょうり）が できます。
料理 = noun
In the case of verbs, add "こと" to the verb dictionary form.
After that, add the particle "が" and the verb "できます".
料理を 作る（つくる）ことができます。
作ります = verb
💁 Explanation of Verb dictionary form ↓↓
👉<Examples>
Noun
1. 田中さんはダンスができます。
Tanaka-san can dance.
2. 彼はテニスができます。
He can play tennis.
3. 私は英語ができません。
I can't speak English.
4. 私は洋服のデザインができます。
I can design clothes.
5. 鈴木さんは車の運転ができます。
Suzuki-san can drive a car.
6. 彼女はプレゼンテーションができます。
She can give presentations.
Verb
1. 私は絵を描くことができます。
I can draw.
2. 山本さんはギターを弾くことができます。
Yamamoto-san can play the guitar.
3. 小林さんはクッキーを焼くことができます。
Kobayashi-san can bake cookies.
4. 中村さんは車を修理することができます。
Nakamura-san can repair cars.
5. 私は上手に泳ぐことができません。
I cannot swim well.
6. 私は旅行の計画を立てることができます。
I can plan trips.
7. 木村さんはパソコンでデータの分析をすることができます。
Kimura-san can analyze the data on a computer.
⚠“～ができる／～することができる” has other uses besides the one introduced today.
💁 Explanation of 〜ができます / 〜ことができます② ↓↓
Suggested Study Material
Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
This grammar point appears in Minna no Nihongo(Lesson16), one of the most widely used beginner textbooks for Japanese learners.
Check textbook detailsThe main textbook is written mostly in Japanese, so many learners also use the Translation & Grammar Notes together.
Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
Check translation & grammar book※Minna no Nihongo is available worldwide on Amazon. If the link does not work in your country, you can search the title on your local Amazon store.
Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
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