和英辞典Vocabulary dictionary

漢字辞典 Kanji dictionary

文法辞典 Grammar dictionary

例文検索 Sentence lookup

When entering abc's, search as
Both
English only
Japanese only

You can enter in parts of a word, words, or phrases.
test
 


 
Be able to A; can do A
  1. Be able to A; can do A
  2. Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)
17
子 供 の 時 、 上 手 に 歌 う こと が できた け れ ど 、 声 が だんだん 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.
25
君 は 日 本 語 で 話 す こと が できます か ？ 
Can you speak Japanese?
9
あなた は 、 泳 い で 川 を 渡 る こと が できます か 。 
Can you swim across the river?
18
あなた の おかげで 、 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.
23
１００ メートル を １２ 秒 以 内 で 走 る こと が できます 。 
He can run 100 meters within twelve seconds.

Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
AVerb: Dictionary Form
こと
が
できる
Basic Examples:
泳ぐことができる (I can swim)

ANoun
が
できる
Basic Examples:
書道ができる (I can do calligraphy)

Where this grammar is found


Grammar usage notes

Nothing posted yet!

Questions/Discussion

Nothing posted yet!
 
Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)
  1. Be able to A; can do A
  2. Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)
14
「 乗 り 放 題 」 という 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.
18
この 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.
14
あなた は ここ で 泳 ぐ こと が できません 。 
You can not swim here.
24
あなた 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.
9
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.
17
１０ 人 も 泊 ま る こと が できる 。 
It can accommodate as many as ten people.

Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
AVerb: Dictionary Form
こと
が
できる
Basic Examples:
見ることができる (one can see)

ANoun
が
できる
Basic Examples:
運転ができる (it's possible to drive)

Where this grammar is found


Grammar usage notes

Nothing posted yet!

Questions/Discussion

Nothing posted yet!

Discussion about this grammar
This section has been archived, and no new posts can be added. Please use the discussion form(s) above.
avatar
Diamondrock
Level: 1
I'm not entirely sure I understand the distinction between meaning #1 and meaning #2.
4
16 years ago
Report Content
avatar
マイコー
Level: 292
Some model sentences would help, I imagine. #1 shows an ability, while #2 shows potential. #1 shows that a person can or cannot do something such as sing or speak a language. #2 shows that in a certain situation, something is possible. Quick example that I don't have time to put in as a model:
東京でメードカフェに行くことが出来ます.

It's not that you have the actual power to ability to go to the maid cafe, but that it's possible to do so.
6
16 years ago
Report Content
avatar
mireille
Level: 1
I'm not sure if I should post it here but できる also means: To be made; to be built; to be ready; to be completed; to grow; to be raised.

E.g.
郊外に新しい地下鉄の駅ができて便利になった。
The new train station that's been built in the suburbs is really convenient.

結婚して子供ができると、仕事をやめる女性が多い。
Many women quit their jobs to start raising their child after marriage.
1
16 years ago
Report Content
avatar
マイコー
Level: 292
Since this page is for ことができる, I'd say that leans a bit more towards vocab and less towards grammar; however, I want to keep it in the comments for others to see when they read this page, thanks!
1
16 years ago
Report Content
avatar
Lang_learner
Level: 1
Whats the difference betweem this grammar and just using the potential form of a verb? Is there a different nuance? Thanks in advance! :)
2
12 years ago
Report Content


Loading the list
Lv.

Sorry, there was an error on renshuu! If it's OK, please describe what you were doing. This will help us fix the issue.

Characters to show:





Use your mouse or finger to write characters in the box.
■ Katakana ■ Hiragana