Ability with できる and Basic Potential (N5) • Readnihongo

Lesson article

Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context

Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.

Section 1 of 4

Using できる with skills and activities

Use with skills, languages, and activities.

Start with the example

。

I can use Japanese / I can speak Japanese.

is a common beginner way to express ability with Japanese.

Notice the variation

。

My younger brother can play the piano.

Music and activity nouns also pair naturally with .

More detail: how to apply this

often describes ability with languages, music, sports, and other activities.

In these sentences, it often appears after .

Explain it another way

Try a different way of looking at the same idea.

Distinguish being able to perform an action from actually performing it in the scene.

The positive ending affirms that ability. It does not state that the person is reading the character right now.

。

I can read this kanji.

Distinguish being able to perform an action from actually performing it in the scene.

Target signal
。
I can use Japanese / I can speak Japanese.
is a common beginner way to express ability with Japanese.
Vocabulary notes
わたし
I; me
日本語にほんご
Japanese language
できる
to be able to; to be completed
Compare in context
。
My younger brother can play the piano.
Music and activity nouns also pair naturally with .
Vocabulary notes
ピアノ
piano
できる
to be able to; to be completed
Compare in context
。
My mother can cook.
often means someone can cook.
Vocabulary notes
料理りょうり
cooking; dish; cuisine
が
subject marker
できる
to be able to; to be completed

Section 2 of 4

Using 〜ことができる

Using 〜

Start with the example

。

I can read kanji.

The action is turned into an ability statement by 〜.

Notice the variation

。

I can cook by myself.

This pattern works well with everyday actions too.

More detail: how to apply this

A verb plus 〜 is another common way to express ability.

It is especially useful when you want to say exactly which action someone can do.

Explain it another way

Try a different way of looking at the same idea.

I can read kanji.

The action is turned into an ability statement by 〜.

。

I can read kanji.

Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I can read kanji.

Target signal
。
I can read kanji.
The action is turned into an ability statement by 〜.
Vocabulary notes
ことができる
can; be able to
Preview
。
I can cook by myself.
This pattern works well with everyday actions too.
Vocabulary notes
料理するりょうりする
to cook
ことができる
can; be able to
Preview
。
You can study in this room.
The place phrase shows where the action is possible.
Vocabulary notes
勉強するべんきょうする
to study
ことができる
can; be able to

Section 3 of 4

Basic potential forms to recognize

Distinguish being able to perform an action from actually performing it in the scene.

Basic potential forms to recognize

。

Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue

makes this kanji the topic. The statement concerns a specific character, not every kanji.

More detail: the reading method

At this stage, the main goal is recognition.

Many everyday sentences use potential-style forms like , , and .

Explain it another way

Try a different way of looking at the same idea.

I can read this kanji.

is a very common potential form.

。

I can read this kanji.

Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I can read this kanji.

More examples

Target signal
。
I can read this kanji.
is a very common potential form.
Vocabulary notes
この
this
漢字かんじ
kanji
読めるよめる
can read; readable
Preview
。
This pen is still usable.
Potential forms also describe whether something is usable.
Vocabulary notes
この
this
ペン
pen
使えるつかえる
to be able to use
Preview
。
This dish can be made at home.
shows that making the dish is possible.
Vocabulary notes
この
this
うち
home; our place
作れるつくれる
can make

Section 4 of 4

Compare the meaning

Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.

Example A

Example B

Your turn · decide before revealing

How do these two examples change the meaning?

More detail: what changes and why

Compare and .

Potential expresses ability;

ordinary states an action or habit.

Explain it another way

Try a different way of looking at the same idea.

Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?

Potential expresses ability; ordinary states an action or habit.

How do these two examples change the meaning?

Supported meaning: Swims/will swim / can swim

Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.

A small challenge. A whole story.

Take what you just learned into a character’s day.

6 min read

Before Mika comes over to study, Aya finally cleans her room and discovers a few forgotten treasures.

Read this story →

7 min read

Yui changes an over-budget flower choice into a small yellow-and-white bouquet and keeps her visit brief so Mika can rest.

Read this story →

Short read

Your mission

What ability does Sora think he has?

Open reading challenge →

Lesson article

Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context

Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.

Section 1 of 4

Using できる with skills and activities

Use with skills, languages, and activities.

Start with the example

。

I can use Japanese / I can speak Japanese.

is a common beginner way to express ability with Japanese.

Notice the variation

。

My younger brother can play the piano.

Music and activity nouns also pair naturally with .

More detail: how to apply this

often describes ability with languages, music, sports, and other activities.

In these sentences, it often appears after .

Explain it another way

Try a different way of looking at the same idea.

Distinguish being able to perform an action from actually performing it in the scene.

The positive ending affirms that ability. It does not state that the person is reading the character right now.

。

I can read this kanji.

Distinguish being able to perform an action from actually performing it in the scene.

Target signal
。
I can use Japanese / I can speak Japanese.
is a common beginner way to express ability with Japanese.
Vocabulary notes
わたし
I; me
日本語にほんご
Japanese language
できる
to be able to; to be completed
Compare in context
。
My younger brother can play the piano.
Music and activity nouns also pair naturally with .
Vocabulary notes
ピアノ
piano
できる
to be able to; to be completed
Compare in context
。
My mother can cook.
often means someone can cook.
Vocabulary notes
料理りょうり
cooking; dish; cuisine
が
subject marker
できる
to be able to; to be completed

Section 2 of 4

Using 〜ことができる

Using 〜

Start with the example

。

I can read kanji.

The action is turned into an ability statement by 〜.

Notice the variation

。

I can cook by myself.

This pattern works well with everyday actions too.

More detail: how to apply this

A verb plus 〜 is another common way to express ability.

It is especially useful when you want to say exactly which action someone can do.

Explain it another way

Try a different way of looking at the same idea.

I can read kanji.

The action is turned into an ability statement by 〜.

。

I can read kanji.

Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I can read kanji.

Target signal
。
I can read kanji.
The action is turned into an ability statement by 〜.
Vocabulary notes
ことができる
can; be able to
Preview
。
I can cook by myself.
This pattern works well with everyday actions too.
Vocabulary notes
料理するりょうりする
to cook
ことができる
can; be able to
Preview
。
You can study in this room.
The place phrase shows where the action is possible.
Vocabulary notes
勉強するべんきょうする
to study
ことができる
can; be able to

Section 3 of 4

Basic potential forms to recognize

Distinguish being able to perform an action from actually performing it in the scene.

Basic potential forms to recognize

。

Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue

makes this kanji the topic. The statement concerns a specific character, not every kanji.

More detail: the reading method

At this stage, the main goal is recognition.

Many everyday sentences use potential-style forms like , , and .

Explain it another way

Try a different way of looking at the same idea.

I can read this kanji.

is a very common potential form.

。

I can read this kanji.

Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I can read this kanji.

More examples

Target signal
。
I can read this kanji.
is a very common potential form.
Vocabulary notes
この
this
漢字かんじ
kanji
読めるよめる
can read; readable
Preview
。
This pen is still usable.
Potential forms also describe whether something is usable.
Vocabulary notes
この
this
ペン
pen
使えるつかえる
to be able to use
Preview
。
This dish can be made at home.
shows that making the dish is possible.
Vocabulary notes
この
this
うち
home; our place
作れるつくれる
can make

Section 4 of 4

Compare the meaning

Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.

Example A

Example B

Your turn · decide before revealing

How do these two examples change the meaning?

More detail: what changes and why

Compare and .

Potential expresses ability;

ordinary states an action or habit.

Explain it another way

Try a different way of looking at the same idea.

Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?

Potential expresses ability; ordinary states an action or habit.

How do these two examples change the meaning?

Supported meaning: Swims/will swim / can swim

Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.

A small challenge. A whole story.

Take what you just learned into a character’s day.

6 min read

Before Mika comes over to study, Aya finally cleans her room and discovers a few forgotten treasures.

Read this story →

7 min read

Yui changes an over-budget flower choice into a small yellow-and-white bouquet and keeps her visit brief so Mika can rest.

Read this story →

Short read

Your mission

What ability does Sora think he has?

Open reading challenge →

Ability with できる and Basic Potential

Using できる with skills and activities

Start with the example

Notice the variation

Distinguish being able to perform an action from actually performing it in the scene.

Using 〜ことができる

Start with the example

Notice the variation

I can read kanji.

Basic potential forms to recognize

I can read this kanji.

Compare the meaning

Example A

Example B

How do these two examples change the meaning?

Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?

Which part expresses “Potential verb stem”?

Check your understanding

What reading ability is explicitly missing?

What is true?

Build the sentence: Build ‘You can use a card here.’

Choose the form: Which sentence means ‘I can read Japanese’?

What is possible?

A small challenge. A whole story.

日曜日にちようびのへやそうじ

花屋はなやのお見舞いおみまいの花はな

おばあちゃんの町まちへの電車でんしゃ

Ability with できる and Basic Potential

Using できる with skills and activities

Start with the example

Notice the variation

Distinguish being able to perform an action from actually performing it in the scene.

Using 〜ことができる

Start with the example

Notice the variation

I can read kanji.

Basic potential forms to recognize

I can read this kanji.

Compare the meaning

Example A

Example B

How do these two examples change the meaning?

Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?

Which part expresses “Potential verb stem”?

Check your understanding

What reading ability is explicitly missing?

What is true?

Build the sentence: Build ‘You can use a card here.’

Choose the form: Which sentence means ‘I can read Japanese’?

What is possible?

A small challenge. A whole story.

日曜日にちようびのへやそうじ

花屋はなやのお見舞いおみまいの花はな

おばあちゃんの町まちへの電車でんしゃ