ことができる means can; be able to. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express ability or possibility to do an action.
This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to express ability or possibility to do an action, ことができる is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics.
What does ことができる mean?
Use ことができる when you want to express ability or possibility to do an action.
Natural translations include:
- can
- be able to
- can; be able to
The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on what the grammar point does in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.
How to form ことができる
Verb dictionary form + ことができる
Examples of the pattern:
- 読むことができる
- 行くことができる
- 話すことができる
Pay attention to the word form before the pattern. Many JLPT N4 mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.
When is ことができる used?
Use ことができる in situations like:
- explaining a condition, reason, decision, or time relationship
- making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern
- understanding natural Japanese in conversation or reading
Tone and register:
- neutral unless the grammar itself is marked as casual, humble, honorific, or formal
- Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions
ことができる example sentences
- 日本語を読むことができます。 — I can read Japanese.
- ここで切符を買うことができます。 — You can buy tickets here.
- 明日行くことができません。 — I cannot go tomorrow.
- このアプリで漢字を練習することができます。 — You can practice kanji with this app.
- 一人で料理することができます。 — I can cook by myself.
Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: condition, timing, limitation, possibility, decision, politeness, or emphasis.
Nuance of ことができる
The key nuance is is a clear way to express ability using こと.
This matters because ことができる may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, a possibility, or a social relationship.
For example:
- In context, ことができる helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation.
- Compared with られる, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences.
ことができる vs られる
Both {jp} and {similar} can appear in related sentences, but they are different.
ことができる:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- carries the specific nuance explained above
られる:
- is useful for comparison because learners often mix it up
- may use a different form, tone, or sentence focus
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 日本語を読むことができます。 — I can read Japanese.
- Related pattern with られる: compare the form and ask whether the sentence is about timing, condition, ability, decision, or politeness.
If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English.
Common mistakes with ことができる
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using it with the wrong verb, noun, or adjective form
- Confusing it with られる because the English translation can look similar
- Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence context
A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel.
Is ことができる on the JLPT?
Yes. ことができる is commonly taught as JLPT N4 grammar.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.
Practice questions for ことができる
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one sentence using the basic pattern.
- Change the sentence into polite or casual style if possible.
- Compare it with the related pattern from the comparison section.
Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.
Learn ことができる with Kanjiru
If you want to review ことができる together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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