JLPT N4 Grammar (koto ga dekiru)

How to use

Verb (dictionary form)ことができる
ことができない
ことができます
ことができません
koto ga dekiru ことができる ことができる jlpt n4 grammar meaning 文法 例文 japanese flashcards

Learn Japanese grammar: (koto ga dekiru). Meaning: can; able to; not able to.

(koto ga dekiru) is used to say something can be done or is able to be done.

It is basically the same as the verb’s potential form, but simpler to use.

Example A) “can do”

Let’s first look at the normal potential form for the verb たべる “to eat”.

  • たべる -> たべられる
  • taberu -> taberareru
  • “to eat” -> “I can eat”

This can also be written as:

  • たべる
  • taberu koto ga dekiru
  • “I can eat”

Example B) “cannot do”

Let’s first look at the normal potential form.

  • たべない -> たべられない
  • tabenai -> taberarenai
  • “to not eat” -> “I cannot eat”

This can also be written as:

  • たべる
  • taberu koto ga dekinai
  • “I cannot eat”

koto ga dekiru ことができる ことができる jlpt n4 grammar meaning 文法 例文 learn japanese flashcards

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- Example Sentences

Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.

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Example #1

わたしはにほんごをはなすことができる。
watashi wa nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekiru.
I can speak Japanese.
Example #2

かのじょはうたうことができる。
kanojo wa utau koto ga dekiru.
She can sing.
Example #3

このないふはどんなものでもきることができるよ。
kono naifu wa donna mono demo kiru koto ga dekiru yo.
This knife can cut through anything.
Example #4

なにもいうことができない。
nani mo iu koto ga dekinai.
I can't say anything.
Example #5

わたしはうそをつくことができない。
watashi wa uso o tsuku koto ga dekinai.
I'm not able to tell a lie.
Example #6

わたしはにほんごをまなぶことができない。
watashi wa nihongo o manabu koto ga dekinai.
I can't learn Japanese.
Example #7

ここからやまをみることができます。
koko kara yama o miru koto ga dekimasu.
You can see the mountains from here.
Example #8

どこでてをあらうことができますか?
doko de te o arau koto ga dekimasu ka?
Where can I wash my hands?
Example #9

なっとうをたべることができますか?
nattou o taberu koto ga dekimasu ka?
Can you eat natto? (fermented soybeans)
Example #10

かれらはわたしのにほんごをりかいすることができませんでした。
karera wa watashi no nihongo o rikai suru koto ga dekimasen deshita.
They couldn't understand my Japanese.

Vocabulary List

KanjiKanaEnglish
わたしI
日本語にほんごJapanese language
話すはなすto speak
彼女かのじょshe
歌ううたうto sing
切るきるto cut
何もなにもnothing
言ういうto say
嘘をつくうそをつくto lie
学ぶまなぶto learn
手を洗うてをあらうto wash hands
納豆なっとうnattou (fermented soybeans)
食べるたべるto eat
彼らかれらthey
理解りかいunderstand

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JLPT N4 vocabulary list

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