できます

§ Understanding できます (dekimasu)

できます (dekimasu) is a versatile Japanese verb that means "to be able to do" or "to be finished/completed." It's an essential verb for expressing ability and completion. Let's break down how to use it effectively in sentences.

§ Expressing Ability: "To be able to do"

When できます (dekimasu) expresses ability, it usually follows a verb in its dictionary form (plain form) plus こと (koto), or it can follow a noun directly. This structure indicates that someone is capable of performing an action or that something is possible.

Grammar Point

Verb (辞書形) + こと + が + できます (koto ga dekimasu)
Noun + が + できます (ga dekimasu)

The particle が (ga) is crucial here. It marks the object of capability or the thing that can be done.

Translation hint: "I can speak Japanese."

Translation hint: "He can swim." (literally, "He can do swimming.")

§ Expressing Completion: "To be finished"

When できます (dekimasu) means "to be finished" or "to be completed," it often refers to a task, a meal, or something being built or prepared. It usually follows a noun, indicating what has been completed.

Grammar Point

Noun + が + できました (ga dekimashita) or Noun + が + できます (ga dekimasu)

Note the use of the past tense, できました (dekimashita), when something has already been completed. The present tense, できます (dekimasu), can refer to something being completed now or being possible to be completed.

Translation hint: "The homework is finished."

Translation hint: "Lunch is ready/finished."

§ Distinguishing from わかります (wakarimasu)

It's important not to confuse できます (dekimasu) with わかります (wakarimasu), which means "to understand." While both can relate to comprehension, they are used differently.

• できます (dekimasu) = "can do," expressing ability to perform an action or skill.
• わかります (wakarimasu) = "understand," expressing cognitive comprehension.

Translation hint: "I can't do this problem." (Meaning, I can't solve it.)

Translation hint: "I don't understand this problem."

You've learned that できます (dekimasu) means 'to be able to do' or 'to be finished.' Now, let's look at how you actually hear this word in everyday situations in Japan. This isn't just textbook Japanese; this is how people use it at work, at school, and when talking about daily life.

Understanding できます in context will make your Japanese sound much more natural. It's a versatile word, and its meaning often depends on the situation.

§ At Work: Asking About Tasks and Availability

In a work environment, できます is essential for discussing tasks, deadlines, and what can or cannot be done. It's used politely to ask about someone's ability or to state your own.

Definition

To be able to do (a task, work, etc.).

• Kono shigoto, kyōjū ni dekimasu ka?
• Can you do this work by the end of today?

• Raishū no kaigi, sanka dekimasu ka?
• Can you attend next week's meeting? (Literally: Is attendance possible for you?)

§ At School: Talking About Skills and Completion

In a school setting, できます is used when discussing learned skills, understanding concepts, or finishing assignments. It's a straightforward way to express competence or completion.

Definition

To be able to do (a skill, understand a concept); To be completed (an assignment, task).

• Nihongo ga sukoshi dekimasu.
• I can speak a little Japanese. (Literally: Japanese is possible for me.)

• Shukudai wa mō dekimashita ka?
• Has your homework been finished yet?

§ In Daily Life and News: Possibility and Completion

Beyond work and school, できます is frequently used to discuss general possibilities, whether something is ready, or if an event can take place. In news reports, it might indicate that something has been completed or is now possible.

Definition

To be possible; To be ready; To be completed.

• Kono basho de shashin ga dekimasu ka?
• Can I take photos in this place? (Literally: Are photos possible here?)

• Atarashī eki ga rainen dekimasu.
• A new station will be completed next year.

• Shokuji no junbi ga dekimashita.
• The meal preparations are ready.

As you can see, できます is more than just 'can.' It's about possibility, ability, and completion in many different real-world contexts. Pay attention to how native speakers use it, and try incorporating these examples into your own practice.

§ What does 'Dekimasu' (できます) mean?

You're learning Japanese, and you'll hear and use できます (dekimasu) all the time. It's a really useful verb with a couple of main meanings. Let's break them down clearly.

Japanese Word

できます (dekimasu)

Meaning 1

To be able to do; Can do (expressing ability or possibility)

Meaning 2

To be finished; To be completed; To be made/built (expressing completion or creation)

§ 'Dekimasu' for Ability or Possibility

This is probably the most common way you'll use できます. It means you 'can' do something, or that something 'is possible'.

Here, the が (ga) particle is important. When you talk about ability with できます, you use が before the thing you can do.

When you want to say you can do a verb, you turn the verb into its plain form (like 泳ぐ - oyogu) and add こと が できます (koto ga dekimasu).

§ 'Dekimasu' for Completion or Creation

This usage means something is done, finished, or has been made. Think of it as 'it is done' or 'it is ready'.

Here, you're saying the lunch is complete. It implies that someone made it or it has come into existence.

This means the station has been completed or constructed.

§ Similar words and when to use 'Dekimasu' vs. alternatives

While できます is versatile, it's good to know some other ways to express similar ideas, especially when talking about ability.

§ '~rareru' (~られる) or '~eru' (~える) - Potential Form

This is the standard way to form the 'potential' of a verb, meaning 'can do [verb]'.

• For Godan verbs (Group 1): Change the 'u' ending to 'eru'. (e.g., 読む (yomu) -> 読める (yomeru) - can read)
• For Ichidan verbs (Group 2): Drop the 'ru' and add 'rareru'. (e.g., 食べる (taberu) -> 食べられる (taberareru) - can eat)
• Irregular verbs: する (suru) -> できる (dekiru), 来る (kuru) -> 来られる (korareru)

So, instead of 泳ぐことができます (oyogu koto ga dekimasu), you can say 泳げます (oyogemasu).

§ When to use 'Dekimasu' vs. Potential Form

Use できます when:

• You're talking about a general skill or capability (e.g., I can speak Japanese).
• You're expressing the possibility of something happening (e.g., It's possible to go there).
• You're stating that something is finished or completed (e.g., The meal is ready).
• You're talking about something being created or built (e.g., A new building was made).
• You want to be slightly more formal or polite than using the plain potential form.

Use the Potential Form (~rareru/~eru) when:

• You're specifically referring to the ability to perform a particular action (e.g., I can eat this).
• It feels a bit more direct and often sounds more natural for specific actions than こと が できます.

§ Quick Summary

できます is a powerful verb that covers 'can do' (ability/possibility) and 'is finished/made' (completion/creation). For verb abilities, you can use the potential form or the こと が できます structure. Understand the subtle differences, and you'll use できます like a pro!