Japanese - Abilities

___の練習がもっと必要です。

___ no renshū ga motto hitsuyō desu.

I need more practice with ___.

Meaning: I need more practice with ___.

When to use: Use this to say you need extra practice in a specific area. Put a noun like 漢字 (kanji), 発音 (pronunciation), 会話 (conversation) before の練習.

まだ___ことを習っていません。

Mada ___ koto o naratte imasen.

I haven't learned to ___ yet.

Meaning: I haven't learned to ___ yet.

When to use: Use this to say you haven’t acquired a skill. Put the verb dictionary form (e.g., 運転する, 料理する) before ことを習っていません。

Tip: Don’t put a noun where a verb is needed (e.g., avoid using a noun without する).

___ことはまだ一度もありません。

___ koto wa mada ichido mo arimasen.

I've never tried to ___.

Meaning: I've never tried to ___.

When to use: Use this to say you have no experience doing something. Put a verb in dictionary form before ことはまだ一度もありません。

Tip: Learners often use past た-form (e.g., したことはありません) — both are understood, but follow the lesson pattern using 辞書形 + こと for this frame.

やってみてもいいですか？

Yatte mite mo ii desu ka?

Let me try.

Meaning: Let me try. (May I try?)

When to use: Use this polite question to ask someone’s permission to attempt a task. Casual: やってみてもいい？

___のは大丈夫です。

___ no wa daijōbu desu.

I feel comfortable ___.

Meaning: I feel comfortable ___. (I'm okay with ___)

When to use: Use this to express confidence or comfort with an ability. Put a verb in dictionary form before のは to make the action the topic.

まだ___準備ができていません。

Mada ___ junbi ga dekite imasen.

I'm not ready to ___ yet.

Meaning: I'm not ready to ___ yet.

When to use: Use this to politely say you lack readiness. Put a verb in dictionary form before 準備ができていません。

手伝ってもらえれば、___ことができます。

Tetsudatte moraereba, ___ koto ga dekimasu.

I can ___ if someone helps me.

Meaning: I can ___ if someone helps me.

When to use: Use this when you want to say you can do something with help. Put a verb in dictionary form before ことができます。

Tip: Make sure to include もらえれば (if I receive help) — leaving it out changes the meaning.

まだ___ことを練習しています。

Mada ___ koto o renshū shite imasu.

I'm still learning to ___.

Meaning: I'm still learning to ___.

When to use: Use this to say an ability is still developing. Put a verb in dictionary form before ことを練習しています。