How to Say “Can / Be able to …” in Japanese | 〜ができます (…ga dekimasu) | JLPT N4 Grammar

2025/12/20

The Japanese expression ～ができます is a core JLPT N4 grammar pattern used to express ability and possibility. It is often translated as “can,” “be able to,” or “it is possible to.”

In Japanese, possibility can be expressed not only with ～ができます, but also through potential verbs, such as nomeru (can drink) or taberareru (can eat). Understanding how these forms work together helps learners express what they can or cannot do in a natural way.

When and How It’s Used

～ができます is used in two main situations.

First, it expresses ability-based possibility, which refers to a person’s skills, learned abilities, or capacity. This includes languages, sports, musical instruments, or professional skills.

Second, it expresses situational possibility, which depends on conditions, rules, time, or the environment rather than personal ability. Whether something is possible or not is determined by circumstances.

In both cases, the object marker usually changes from を to が, which is an important grammatical feature of this expression.

See How it’s used in conversation

This video will help you understand how is used ～ができます in everyday Japanese conversations. Watch and repeat to improve your listening and speaking skills!

Sentence Pattern

In addition to using ～ができます, Japanese expresses possibility by changing the verb itself into a potential verb form.
In Japanese language education, these are called potential verbs, such as nomeru (can drink), taberareru (can eat), and korareru (can come).

Unlike the structure dictionary form + ことができる, potential verbs express possibility through verb conjugation, making the sentence shorter and more direct.

How potential verbs are formed depends on the verb group.

Group Ⅰ (う-verbs)
Change the final -u sound to the corresponding -e sound, then add る.

• 飲む → 飲める
  
• 書く → 書ける
  

Group Ⅱ (る-verbs)
Remove る and add られる.

• 食べる → 食べられる
  
• 見る → 見られる
  

Group Ⅲ (irregular verbs)

• する → できる
  
• 来る → 来られる
  

When using potential verbs, the object marker often changes from を to が, just like with ～ができます.

Examples

Ability-based Possibility

① 日本語が話せます。
Nihongo ga hanasemasu.
→ I can speak Japanese.

② ピアノが弾けます。
Piano ga hikemasu.
→ I can play the piano.

Situational Possibility

③ コンビニでいろいろな物が買えます。
Konbini de iroirona mono ga kaemasu.
→ It will be possible to hold a meeting here tomorrow.

④ この店ではクレジットカードが使えません。
Kono mise de wa kurejitto kādo ga tsukaemasen.
→ Credit cards cannot be used at this store.

In Summary

～ができます is a polite and flexible way to express both ability and situational possibility in Japanese.

At the same time, Japanese also uses potential verbs, which express possibility by changing the verb itself. Learning how to form these potential verbs by verb group allows learners to communicate more naturally and confidently at the N4 level.

Enhance your JLPT N4 with Nihongo Online School

Mastering the core grammar of JLPT N4 is just one step toward passing the exam. To build a solid foundation, you’ll also need to learn JLPT N4 Grammar List , and also Play List on Youtube for JLPT N4 helps you understand important grammar easily.

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