NihonGo
Unit 21Phase F · Dictionary form

〜ことが できます

Ability & possibility — “I can ~”

のうりょくa personal skill

じしょけい + ことが できます = something you’re able to do.

よむことが できます = I can read

かのうせいpossible here

The same pattern says what a place or situation allows.

ここで かうことが できます

かんじを よむことが できますか。

“Can you read kanji?”

Step 1

ぶんけい

The pattern: 〜ことが できます

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.

Verb-じしょけいじしょけい
+
ことが できます

Ability — “I can ~.” Say what you (or someone) have learned to do.

Verb-じしょけいじしょけい
+
ことが できます

Possibility — “You can ~ here.” Say what is possible in a place or situation.

Step 2

かいわ

Q&A — both uses in conversation

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.

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