〜ことが できます
Ability & possibility — “I can ~” / “You can ~ here”
You can already make the じしょけい (Unit 20). Add ことが できます to say what someone is able to do (ability) — or what is possible in a place or situation (possibility). Same grammar, two uses.
かんじを よむことが できますか。
“Can you read kanji?”
ぶんけい
Same じしょけい + ことが できます grammar — two different uses. Card 1 is about a personal skill (something you learned). Card 2 is about what is possible in a place or situation. 🔊 Tap any example to hear it.
Ability — “I can ~.” Say what you (or someone) have learned to do.
Possibility — “You can ~ here.” Say what is possible in a place or situation.
かいわ
The first exchange asks about a personal skill; the second asks whether something is allowed in a place. Same pattern, different feel.
およぐことが できますか。
Can you swim?
はい、すこし およぐことが できます。
Yes, a little.
ここで たばこを すうことが できますか。
Can I smoke here?
いいえ、すうことが できません。
No, you can't.
Phase F's next pattern (〜まえに — “before doing”) is coming soon.