「～ことができない」- Unable to Do Something

Explanation

「～ことができない」 is an important grammatical structure in Japanese used to express the inability to accomplish something. This structure indicates a limitation in ability or possibility, meaning that someone or something cannot perform a certain action.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Negative Form + ことができない	Verb Negative Form + ことができない	This expression is commonly used to talk about someone or something being unable to complete a specific action or task due to certain reasons. The limitation could be due to external conditions, personal ability, or other factors.

Basic Usage and Examples

The basic structure of 「～ことができない」 is:

• Verb Negative Form + ことができない

Here are some basic examples:

• これらこれらの問題もんだいは解決かいけつできないことが明らかあきらかだ。
• Korera no mondai wa kaiketsu dekinai koto ga akiraka da.
• It is clear that these problems cannot be solved.
  

• 日本語にほんごを話はなすことができない。
• Nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekinai.
• I cannot speak Japanese.
  

• 雨あめが降ふっているので、外そとに出でることができない。
• Ame ga futteiru node, soto ni deru koto ga dekinai.
• Because it is raining, I cannot go outside.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

To better understand 「～ことができない」, here are some examples from real-life conversations and situations:

• Daily Conversation:
  • A：明日あしたの会議かいぎに参加さんかできますか？
  • B：すみませんが、急用きゅうようがあって参加さんかすることができません。
  • A：Can you attend the meeting tomorrow?
  • B：I’m sorry, but I have an urgent matter and cannot attend.
    
• Work Scenario:
  • 上司じょうし：この報告書ほうこくしょは明日あしたまでに仕上しあげられますか？
  • 部下ぶか：いいえ、時間じかんが足たりないので、明日あしたまでに完成かんせいすることができません。
  • Boss: Can you finish this report by tomorrow?
  • Subordinate: No, there isn’t enough time, so I cannot complete it by tomorrow.
    
• Learning Scenario:
  • 先生せんせい：この問題もんだいは理解りかいできますか？
  • 学生がくせい：すみません、まだ理解りかいすることができません。
  • Teacher: Can you understand this problem?
  • Student: I’m sorry, but I still cannot understand it.
    

Cultural Context

In Japanese culture, expressing limitations in ability or possibility is very common. This is not just a linguistic expression but also reflects a humble and polite attitude. Using 「～ことができない」 allows the speaker to express their inability in a more polite and considerate manner.

Summary

「～ことができない」 is a grammatical structure used to express the inability to accomplish something, applicable in various situations. Mastering this structure will help improve the accuracy and politeness of your Japanese expressions.