How to Say Can in Japanese and Talk About Possibility

English has one tiny word that does too much work: “can.” It can mean ability, permission, possibility, skill, or even “please stop talking, I can’t.” Japanese is more organized, which is lovely until you realize there are several ways to translate the same little word.

In Japanese, “can” often becomes できる
Dekiru
can do; to be able to do.

But that is only the front door. Behind it are potential verb forms like:

行ける
Ikeru
can go, polite patterns like ことができる
Koto ga dekiru
can do, and possibility words like 可能
Kanō
possible.

So yes, there are options. No, Japanese is not trying to ruin your afternoon.

Let’s sort them out neatly.

Table of Contents

The Big Idea: “Can” Has Different Jobs

Before choosing a Japanese phrase, ask what “can” means in your sentence. Are you talking about skill? A possible plan? Permission? Something that might happen? Japanese usually chooses a different structure for each one.

English “Can” Job	Common Japanese	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
Ability	できる	Dekiru	Can do; be able to do	私は料理ができる。	Watashi wa ryōri ga dekiru.	I can cook.
Verb Ability	話せる	Hanaseru	Can speak	彼は日本語を話せる。	Kare wa Nihongo o hanaseru.	He can speak Japanese.
Formal Ability	ことができる	Koto ga dekiru	Can do; be able to	ここで勉強することができる。	Koko de benkyō suru koto ga dekiru.	You can study here.
Possibility	可能	Kanō	Possible	変更は可能です。	Henkō wa kanō desu.	Changes are possible.
May Happen	かもしれない	Kamo shirenai	Might; may	明日は雨かもしれない。	Ashita wa ame kamo shirenai.	It might rain tomorrow.

Use できる For Basic Ability

できる
Dekiru
can do; be able to do

This is the easiest and most useful “can” in Japanese. It works especially well with nouns for activities, skills, sports, languages, and tasks. The thing you can do is usually marked with が
Ga
subject/ability marker, not を
O
direct object marker. Tiny particle, big personality.

The basic pattern is:

Noun ができる
Noun ga dekiru
can do noun; be able to do noun

Key Phrase	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
料理ができる	Ryōri ga dekiru	Can cook	母は料理ができる。	Haha wa ryōri ga dekiru.	My mother can cook.
運転ができる	Unten ga dekiru	Can drive	私は運転ができません。	Watashi wa unten ga dekimasen.	I cannot drive.
英語ができる	Eigo ga dekiru	Can speak/use English	彼女は英語ができます。	Kanojo wa Eigo ga dekimasu.	She can speak English.
仕事ができる	Shigoto ga dekiru	Can work; be good at work	彼は仕事ができる人です。	Kare wa shigoto ga dekiru hito desu.	He is a capable worker.
準備ができる	Junbi ga dekiru	Can get ready; be ready	もう準備ができました。	Mō junbi ga dekimashita.	I am already ready.
予約ができる	Yoyaku ga dekiru	Can make a reservation	ネットで予約ができます。	Netto de yoyaku ga dekimasu.	You can make a reservation online.

Quick note: できる
Dekiru
can do; be able to do can also mean “to be completed” or “to be made.” So 宿題ができた
Shukudai ga dekita
homework was finished / I finished my homework is not about your homework developing superpowers. Sadly.

Use The Potential Form For “Can Do This Verb”

When “can” attaches directly to a verb, Japanese often uses the potential form. This changes the verb itself.

行く
Iku
to go becomes 行ける
Ikeru
can go.

食べる
Taberu
to eat becomes 食べられる
Taberareru
can eat.

Dictionary Form	Rōmaji	Meaning	Potential Form	Potential Rōmaji	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
行く	Iku	To go	行ける	Ikeru	明日、京都に行ける。	Ashita, Kyōto ni ikeru.	I can go to Kyoto tomorrow.
話す	Hanasu	To speak	話せる	Hanaseru	少し日本語が話せます。	Sukoshi Nihongo ga hanasemasu.	I can speak a little Japanese.
読む	Yomu	To read	読める	Yomeru	この漢字が読めない。	Kono kanji ga yomenai.	I cannot read this kanji.
書く	Kaku	To write	書ける	Kakeru	名前を漢字で書けますか。	Namae o kanji de kakemasu ka.	Can you write your name in kanji?
買う	Kau	To buy	買える	Kaeru	駅で切符が買えます。	Eki de kippu ga kaemasu.	You can buy tickets at the station.
食べる	Taberu	To eat	食べられる	Taberareru	辛い料理が食べられます。	Karai ryōri ga taberaremasu.	I can eat spicy food.
見る	Miru	To see; to watch	見られる	Mirareru	ここから富士山が見られます。	Koko kara Fujisan ga mirararemasu.	You can see Mount Fuji from here.
する	Suru	To do	できる	Dekiru	今日は練習ができます。	Kyō wa renshū ga dekimasu.	I can practice today.
来る	Kuru	To come	来られる	Korareru	明日の会議に来られますか。	Ashita no kaigi ni koraremasu ka.	Can you come to tomorrow’s meeting?

In many casual conversations, Japanese speakers shorten 食べられる
Taberareru
can eat to 食べれる
Tabereru
can eat, and 見られる
Mirareru
can see to 見れる
Mireru
can see. This is common, but in formal writing or careful speech, the longer form is safer.

Use が With Potential Verbs More Often Than を

With normal action verbs, the object often takes を
O
direct object marker. But with potential verbs, Japanese often uses が
Ga
ability marker / subject marker.

Natural Japanese	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
日本語が話せる	Nihongo ga hanaseru	Can speak Japanese	私は日本語が話せます。	Watashi wa Nihongo ga hanasemasu.	I can speak Japanese.
漢字が読める	Kanji ga yomeru	Can read kanji	彼は難しい漢字が読める。	Kare wa muzukashii kanji ga yomeru.	He can read difficult kanji.
ピアノが弾ける	Piano ga hikeru	Can play piano	妹はピアノが弾けます。	Imōto wa piano ga hikemasu.	My younger sister can play piano.
寿司が作れる	Sushi ga tsukureru	Can make sushi	家で寿司が作れます。	Ie de sushi ga tsukuremasu.	I can make sushi at home.

You may still hear を
O
direct object marker with potential verbs, especially in casual speech or when the speaker wants to keep the action feeling strong. But if you are learning, が
Ga
ability marker is the friendly default.

Use ことができる For A Clear Or Polite “Can”

ことができる
Koto ga dekiru
can do; be able to do

This pattern attaches to the dictionary form of a verb. It is a bit longer than the potential form, but it is clear, polite, and useful in signs, rules, school writing, business Japanese, and polite explanations.

Verb Dictionary Form + ことができる
Verb dictionary form + koto ga dekiru
can do the action

Key Phrase	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
予約することができる	Yoyaku suru koto ga dekiru	Can make a reservation	電話で予約することができます。	Denwa de yoyaku suru koto ga dekimasu.	You can make a reservation by phone.
参加することができる	Sanka suru koto ga dekiru	Can participate	学生は無料で参加することができます。	Gakusei wa muryō de sanka suru koto ga dekimasu.	Students can participate for free.
使うことができる	Tsukau koto ga dekiru	Can use	このカードは駅で使うことができます。	Kono kādo wa eki de tsukau koto ga dekimasu.	You can use this card at the station.
見ることができる	Miru koto ga dekiru	Can see; can watch	夜にきれいな星を見ることができます。	Yoru ni kirei na hoshi o miru koto ga dekimasu.	You can see beautiful stars at night.
学ぶことができる	Manabu koto ga dekiru	Can learn	この本で日本の文化を学ぶことができます。	Kono hon de Nihon no bunka o manabu koto ga dekimasu.	You can learn Japanese culture with this book.

In everyday speech, 行ける
Ikeru
can go is shorter and more natural than 行くことができる
Iku koto ga dekiru
can go. But if you want to sound careful or official, ことができる
Koto ga dekiru
can do is your nicely ironed shirt.

Use 可能 For “Possible”

可能
Kanō
possible

Use 可能
Kanō
possible when you are talking about whether something is possible, available, or allowed by conditions. It sounds more formal than できる
Dekiru
can do, and it appears often in signs, customer service, websites, and business messages.

Key Phrase	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
可能です	Kanō desu	It is possible	今日の予約は可能です。	Kyō no yoyaku wa kanō desu.	A reservation today is possible.
不可能です	Fukanō desu	It is impossible	今すぐ出発するのは不可能です。	Ima sugu shuppatsu suru no wa fukanō desu.	Leaving right now is impossible.
利用可能	Riyō kanō	Available for use	この部屋は利用可能です。	Kono heya wa riyō kanō desu.	This room is available for use.
変更可能	Henkō kanō	Changeable; changes possible	時間は変更可能です。	Jikan wa henkō kanō desu.	The time can be changed.
予約可能	Yoyaku kanō	Reservable	このホテルは今夜予約可能です。	Kono hoteru wa kon’ya yoyaku kanō desu.	This hotel can be booked tonight.
参加可能	Sanka kanō	Able to join; participation possible	初心者も参加可能です。	Shoshinsha mo sanka kanō desu.	Beginners can also join.

可能
Kanō
possible is great when the “can” depends on rules, schedules, systems, or availability. If the sentence is about personal skill, use できる
Dekiru
can do or the potential form instead.

Use かもしれない For “Might” Or “May”

かもしれない
Kamo shirenai
might; may; possibly

English “can” sometimes means “it can happen” or “it may happen.” In Japanese, that often becomes かもしれない
Kamo shirenai
might; may. This is possibility, not ability.

Key Phrase	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
雨かもしれない	Ame kamo shirenai	It might rain	午後は雨かもしれない。	Gogo wa ame kamo shirenai.	It might rain in the afternoon.
遅れるかもしれない	Okureru kamo shirenai	Might be late	電車が遅れるかもしれません。	Densha ga okureru kamo shiremasen.	The train might be late.
来ないかもしれない	Konai kamo shirenai	Might not come	彼は今日来ないかもしれない。	Kare wa kyō konai kamo shirenai.	He might not come today.
できるかもしれない	Dekiru kamo shirenai	Might be able to do it	少し練習すれば、できるかもしれない。	Sukoshi renshū sureba, dekiru kamo shirenai.	If I practice a little, I might be able to do it.

Use 見える And 聞こえる For Natural Ability Of Senses

Japanese separates “I can see because it is visible” from “I can watch/see intentionally.” Same with hearing. This is one of those details that makes Japanese feel elegant and mildly bossy.

Key Phrase	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
見える	Mieru	Can see; be visible	窓から海が見える。	Mado kara umi ga mieru.	I can see the sea from the window.
見られる	Mirareru	Can watch; can see intentionally	この映画はネットで見られる。	Kono eiga wa netto de mirareru.	You can watch this movie online.
聞こえる	Kikoeru	Can hear; be audible	外から音楽が聞こえる。	Soto kara ongaku ga kikoeru.	I can hear music from outside.
聞ける	Kikeru	Can listen; can ask	このアプリでニュースが聞ける。	Kono apuri de nyūsu ga kikeru.	You can listen to the news with this app.

Use 見える
Mieru
can see; be visible and 聞こえる
Kikoeru
can hear; be audible when the sound or sight naturally reaches you. Use 見られる
Mirareru
can watch/see and 聞ける
Kikeru
can listen/ask when access or intentional action is involved.

How To Make “Cannot” In Japanese

To say “cannot,” use the negative form. The most common one is できない
Dekinai
cannot do; not able to do. In polite speech, use できません
Dekimasen
cannot do; not able to do.

Negative Phrase	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
できない	Dekinai	Cannot do	今日は運動ができない。	Kyō wa undō ga dekinai.	I cannot exercise today.
できません	Dekimasen	Cannot do; polite	すみません、参加できません。	Sumimasen, sanka dekimasen.	Sorry, I cannot join.
行けない	Ikenai	Cannot go	今夜は行けない。	Kon’ya wa ikenai.	I cannot go tonight.
読めない	Yomenai	Cannot read	この字が読めない。	Kono ji ga yomenai.	I cannot read this character.
食べられない	Taberarenai	Cannot eat	肉は食べられません。	Niku wa taberaremasen.	I cannot eat meat.

Be careful with 行けない
Ikenai
cannot go. It can also mean “not allowed” or “bad” depending on context. Japanese loves context. Context loves making learners sweat.

How To Ask “Can You?” In Japanese

To ask if someone can do something, add か
Ka
question marker in polite speech. In casual speech, rising intonation often does the job.

Question	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
できますか	Dekimasu ka	Can you do it?	これ、できますか。	Kore, dekimasu ka.	Can you do this?
話せますか	Hanasemasu ka	Can you speak?	日本語が話せますか。	Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka.	Can you speak Japanese?
来られますか	Koraremasu ka	Can you come?	明日、来られますか。	Ashita, koraremasu ka.	Can you come tomorrow?
手伝ってくれますか	Tetsudatte kuremasu ka	Can you help me?; will you help me?	少し手伝ってくれますか。	Sukoshi tetsudatte kuremasu ka.	Can you help me a little?
お願いできますか	Onegai dekimasu ka	Could I ask you?; can you do this?	この書類をお願いできますか。	Kono shorui o onegai dekimasu ka.	Could I ask you to handle this document?

For requests, Japanese often avoids a direct “Can you?” and uses softer request patterns. 手伝ってくれますか
Tetsudatte kuremasu ka
can you help me? sounds more natural than a literal ability question in many everyday situations.

Common Mistakes And Quick Fixes

Mistake	Rōmaji	Why It Feels Off	Better Japanese	Better Rōmaji	Translation
私は日本語をできる。	Watashi wa Nihongo o dekiru.	できる usually takes が for ability.	私は日本語ができる。	Watashi wa Nihongo ga dekiru.	I can speak/use Japanese.
私は行くできる。	Watashi wa iku dekiru.	Do not put できる directly after a plain verb like this.	私は行ける。	Watashi wa ikeru.	I can go.
映画が見える。	Eiga ga mieru.	This sounds like the movie is visible, not that you can watch it.	映画が見られる。	Eiga ga mirareru.	You can watch the movie.
雨ができる。	Ame ga dekiru.	Rain does not “can do.” Use possibility.	雨が降るかもしれない。	Ame ga furu kamo shirenai.	It might rain.
来ることができますか。	Kuru koto ga dekimasu ka.	Grammatically fine, but a bit stiff for casual plans.	来られますか。	Koraremasu ka.	Can you come?

Practice: Choose The Best “Can”

Try choosing the natural Japanese pattern. The answers are included, because this is practice, not a trapdoor.

English	Best Japanese	Rōmaji	Meaning	Extra Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
I can swim.	泳げる	Oyogeru	Can swim	私は少し泳げます。	Watashi wa sukoshi oyogemasu.	I can swim a little.
You can use this room.	使うことができる	Tsukau koto ga dekiru	Can use	この部屋を使うことができます。	Kono heya o tsukau koto ga dekimasu.	You can use this room.
Changes are possible.	変更可能	Henkō kanō	Changeable; changes possible	予約の変更は可能です。	Yoyaku no henkō wa kanō desu.	Reservation changes are possible.
It might snow.	雪かもしれない	Yuki kamo shirenai	It might snow	今夜は雪かもしれません。	Kon’ya wa yuki kamo shiremasen.	It might snow tonight.
I can hear a dog.	犬が聞こえる	Inu ga kikoeru	Can hear a dog	外で犬の声が聞こえる。	Soto de inu no koe ga kikoeru.	I can hear a dog outside.

Quick Reference Summary

Use This	Rōmaji	For This Meaning	Example	Example Rōmaji	Translation
できる	Dekiru	Basic ability; can do	料理ができる。	Ryōri ga dekiru.	I can cook.
行ける・話せる・読める	Ikeru / hanaseru / yomeru	Potential verb forms	日本語が読める。	Nihongo ga yomeru.	I can read Japanese.
ことができる	Koto ga dekiru	Clear or polite “can do”	ここで休むことができます。	Koko de yasumu koto ga dekimasu.	You can rest here.
可能	Kanō	Possible; available	支払いはカードで可能です。	Shiharai wa kādo de kanō desu.	Payment by card is possible.
かもしれない	Kamo shirenai	Might; may happen	明日は忙しいかもしれない。	Ashita wa isogashii kamo shirenai.	Tomorrow might be busy.
見える・聞こえる	Mieru / kikoeru	Can see/hear naturally	鳥の声が聞こえる。	Tori no koe ga kikoeru.	I can hear birds.

Yak Takeaway

If you remember only one thing, remember this: “can” is not one Japanese word. Use できる
Dekiru
can do for general ability, potential verb forms like 行ける
Ikeru
can go for specific actions, ことができる
Koto ga dekiru
can do for polite clarity, and 可能
Kanō
possible when the situation itself allows something.

That sounds like a lot, but it gets friendly fast. Start with できる
Dekiru
can do, add a few potential forms, and suddenly Japanese “can” becomes less of a mysterious fog machine and more of a useful little toolbox.