Imagine your friend asks, Nihongo ga dekimasu ka? Can you speak Japanese? Today, you’ll learn exactly how to answer that. We’ll master できる (can do) and the potential form of verbs—so you can talk about what you can and can’t do in everyday life.

Two easy ways to say can in Japanese

There are two very common patterns:

• Noun + が + できる

  • 料理ができる I can cook.
  • サッカーができますか。 Can you play soccer?

• Verb potential form (change the verb form to mean can)

  • 読む → 読める can read
  • 行く → 行ける can go
  • 見る → 見られる can see

Both are correct. In speech, potential verbs are very common. ことができる (can do [the action]) is also used, especially in formal situations.

わたしは日本語が。

How to make the potential form

Here are the rules you’ll use again and again.

Useful verbs you’ll want to make potential

Here are common everyday actions. Try to say you can or can’t do them.

が or を? The key particle with potential

With potential verbs, the thing that can be done is usually marked by が.

• 漢字が読めます。 I can read kanji.
• 寿司が食べられます。 I can eat sushi.

In casual speech, some people use を, but for clear, correct Japanese at A2, use が.

寿司を食べられます。 → 寿司が食べられます。 With potential verbs, が is standard for the thing that can be done. を may appear in casual speech, but が is safer and clearer.

ことができます: Formal and clear

The pattern Noun/Verb + ことができます also means can, and it’s common in signs, announcements, and polite information.

• この美術館では写真を撮ることができます。 You can take photos in this museum.
• 来週の金曜日に予約することができます。 You can make a reservation next Friday.

It’s a little more formal than the simple potential form.

この美術館では写真が。

Mini conversation practice

Put the lines in order to make a natural conversation about ability and plans.

Cultural note: Saying no politely

In Japanese, it’s common to soften no with reasons and apologies.

• すみません、今日は行けません。 Sorry, I can’t go today.
• きょうは用事があって、行けないんです。 I have something to do today, so I can’t go.

This sounds kinder than a direct できません.

Review and your next step

• Use Noun + が + できる for general abilities: 日本語ができます。
• Use potential verbs for actions: 行ける・読める・見られる・できる。
• Prefer が with potential: 漢字が読めます。
• For formal/polite notices, use ことができます: 写真を撮ることができます。

Now it’s your turn:

• Say three things you can do and one you can’t. For example: 料理ができます。ピアノがひけません。
• Change these into polite form: 行ける → 行けます／行けません。

You’ve got this—もうできます！ Keep noticing できる and potential forms in signs, apps, and conversations, and use them this week.