Be able to A; can do A
- Be able to A; can do A
- Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)
29
子供の時、上手に歌うことができたけれど、声が段々変わってきて、今全然歌えません。
I could sing really well when I was a child, but my voice slowly changed and now I can't sing at all.
0
34
君は日本語で話すことができますか？
Can you speak Japanese?
0
12
貴方は、泳いで川を渡ることができますか。
Can you swim across the river?
0
26
貴方のお陰で、私は早く終えることができました。
Thanks to your help, I was able to finish early.
0
30
１００米を１２秒以内で走ることができます。
He can run 100 meters within twelve seconds.
0
11
貴方は泳いで渡ることができますか。
Can you swim across?
0
4
貴方は逆立ちができますか。
Can you stand on your hands?
0
6
此の石を持ち上げることができますか。
Can you lift this stone?
0
14
此の鳥は飛ぶことができない。
This bird cannot fly.
1
13
此の仏像の年代は正確に推定為ることができない。
This Buddhist image cannot be dated exactly.
0
1
私はスキーとスノーボードができます。
I can ski and snowboard.
0
10
兄は其の複雑な問題を解くことができなかった。
My brother could not solve the complicated problem.
0
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Basic Examples:
泳ぐ事が出来る (I can swim)
Basic Examples:
書道が出来る (I can do calligraphy)
Where this grammar is found
Grammar usage notes
Nothing posted yet!
Questions/Discussion
How does using ことが出来る differ from using the potential form (～える) of the verb?
ことができる and the potential form ～える／～られる both express “can,” however, ことができる is the ability to perform an action, while Potential form is the ability of the verb itself. For example, (日本語を話すことができる = I am able to speak Japanese). This feels like “I can perform the action of speaking Japanese.” Another example, (お前を救うことができなかった = I couldn't save you / I couldn't perform the action of saving you).
On the other hand, (まだ食べられる =
It's still edible / eat-ABLE / can be eaten) another example, (遠すぎて、見られない = it's too far away, it's not see-ABLE / can't be seen).
Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)
- Be able to A; can do A
- Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)
20
「乗り放題」と言う切符を買ったら、何回でも電車に乗ることができる。
If you buy an all-you-can-ride ticket, it's possible to ride the train as many times as you like.
0
26
此の本は英語と日本語の両方で読むことができる。
You can read this book in both English and in Japanese.
0
17
貴方は此処で泳ぐことができません。
You can not swim here.
0
28
貴方達は一度に３冊の本を借りることができます。
You can borrow three books at a time.
0
14
体育館へは保健室から入ることができる。
You can enter the gym from the infirmary.
2
20
１０人も泊まることができる。
It can accommodate as many as ten people.
0
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Basic Examples:
見る事が出来る (one can see)
Basic Examples:
運転が出来る (it's possible to drive)
Where this grammar is found
Grammar usage notes
Nothing posted yet!
Questions/Discussion
Nothing posted yet!
