「～ことができる」- Ability and Possibility

Explanation

「～ことができる」 is used to express someone's ability or possibility to do something, equivalent to "can" or "be able to" in English. Its negative form is 「～ことができない」, which means "cannot" or "be unable to do something."

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Dictionary Form + ことができる	Verb Dictionary Form + ことができる	Expresses the subject's ability or possibility
Verb Negative Form + ことができない	Verb Negative Form + ことができない	Expresses the inability to do something

Basic Usage

「～ことができる」 is typically attached to the dictionary form of a verb to express the subject's ability or possibility.

Examples

• 子供こどもの頃ころから追おいかけてきた夢ゆめを叶かなえることができた。
• Kodomo no koro kara oikakete kita yume o kanaeru koto ga dekita.
• I was able to achieve the dream I've been chasing since childhood.
  

• 全力ぜんりょくを尽つくした結果けっか、合格ごうかくを掴つかむことができた。
• Zenryoku o tsukushita kekka, goukaku o tsukamu koto ga dekita.
• As a result of giving it my all, I was able to pass.
  

• めちゃめちゃめちゃめちゃ寒さむかったですが、たくさんの流星りゅうせいを見ることができました。
• Mechamecha samukatta desu ga, takusan no ryuusei o miru koto ga dekimashita.
• Although it was extremely cold, I was able to see many shooting stars.
  

• 苦労くろうしたけど、大おおきな壁かべを乗のり越こえることができたと思おもう。
• Kurou shita kedo, ookina kabe o norikoeru koto ga dekita to omou.
• Although it was tough, I think I was able to overcome a big obstacle.
  

• とてもとても大おおきな成果せいかを挙あげることができた。
• Totemo ookina seika o ageru koto ga dekita.
• I was able to achieve a very significant result.
  

• ５キロくらい痩やせることができた。
• 5-kiro kurai yaseru koto ga dekita.
• I was able to lose about 5 kilograms.
  

Deep Dive

「ことができる」 is primarily used to express positive abilities or possibilities and cannot be used for negative or undesirable situations. It cannot be used with non-volitional verbs such as 「降る」 (to fall, e.g., rain), 「いる」 (to exist), 「ある」 (to be), or 「分かる」 (to understand).

Examples

• 彼かれは新あたらしい学校がっこうで友だちともだちを作つくることができた。
• Kare wa atarashii gakkou de tomodachi o tsukuru koto ga dekita.
• He was able to make friends at his new school.
  

• ここに新しいあたらビルができることができた。
• Koko ni atarashii biru ga dekiru koto ga dekita.
• A new building was able to be constructed here.
  

Comparison and Differences

「～ことができる」 vs. 「～れる／られる」

Feature	～ことができる	～れる／られる
Expressed Ability	Specific actions or behaviors	General ability
Usage Context	More commonly used in formal or written contexts	Can express passive, respectful, or spontaneous meanings

Summary

「～ことができる」 is an important grammar point for expressing ability and possibility. It helps learners accurately convey their capabilities or the likelihood of certain events. Mastering this structure will enhance your ability to express complex ideas in Japanese.