Skip to content
JLPT N4Ability

ことができる— Can do / Be able to

Expresses ability or possibility using the nominalizer こと. More formal than the potential verb form; common in written language and formal speech.

Grammar path · 練習

Practice this in the path

A short lesson: the pattern, its sentence anatomy, a quick quiz and a sentence to build.

Pro lessonUNIT 29 · ABILITY

Structure · 形

[Verb dictionary form] + ことができる / できます

Examples · 例文

  • 私は日本語を話すことができます。

    Watashi wa nihongo wo hanasu koto ga dekimasu.

    I am able to speak Japanese.

    話すこと (speaking) + ができます (can do)

  • ここで写真を撮ることはできません。

    Koko de shashin wo toru koto wa dekimasen.

    You cannot take photos here.

    は instead of が = contrast / topic emphasis

  • 一人で歩くことができなくなった。

    Hitori de aruku koto ga dekinaku natta.

    I became unable to walk alone.

    できなく + なった = became unable (change of state)

Usage notes · 注意

  • ことができる ≈ potential form (話せる, 泳げる).
  • ことができる emphasizes the ACT; the potential form is more natural in conversation.
  • Both are correct at N4.
  • ことができない = cannot; ことができた = was able to (past).
  • Formal / JLPT contexts prefer ことができる.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ことができる is tested against.

vsPotential form (話せる, 泳げる)

The potential verb is shorter and more natural in speech; ことができる is longer, more formal/written, and puts focus on the act itself.

vsできる (with noun)

A noun takes plain できる (日本語ができる); a verb must be nominalized first (話すことができる).

Study Japanese grammar on LenGaki

Everything on this page, ready to study

  • 7,788 JLPT vocabulary words, N5 through N1, with readings and audio (N5 free)
  • 2,057 kanji with on'yomi, kun'yomi and stroke-order practice
  • 445 grammar points with examples and commonly-confused comparisons
  • Full-length N5 and N4 mock exams, timed, with real listening audio (N5 sets 1 and 2 free)