Japanese verb · ru-verb · first needed at beginner level (A1)
できる
dekiru
to be able to, can
A ru-verb, usually written in kana. The skill takes (ga): (ryōri ga dekiru). It also means “to be ready” and “to be built, to open”. As it already means “can”, it has no potential or volitional.
Speed:
Present
現在形
Can, be able to. The skill takes (ga).
| plain | できるdekiru | |
|---|---|---|
| polite | できますdekimasu | |
| plain negative | できないdekinai | |
| polite negative | できませんdekimasen |
Past
過去形
Could, managed to; also “is ready”: (bangohan ga dekimashita), dinner is ready.
| plain | できたdekita | |
|---|---|---|
| polite | できましたdekimashita | |
| plain negative | できなかったdekinakatta | |
| polite negative | できませんでしたdekimasen deshita |
Te-form
て形
(dekite imasu) means “is ready, is done”. The negative te-form (dekinakute) means “couldn't, and so …”.
| te-form | できてdekite | |
|---|---|---|
| -te imasu (doing now) | できていますdekite imasu | |
| negative te-form | できなくてdekinakute |
Conditional
条件形
(dekireba) and (dekitara) both mean “if possible”.
| -ba | できればdekireba | |
|---|---|---|
| -tara | できたらdekitara | |
| -nakereba (if not) | できなければdekinakereba |
Examples
- 私は料理ができます。Watashi wa ryōri ga dekimasu.I can cook.
- 晩ご飯ができました。Bangohan ga dekimashita.Dinner is ready.
- できれば、明日来てください。Dekireba, ashita kite kudasai.If possible, please come tomorrow.