できる
できる
to be able to (to accomplish)
Dekiru (できる) is an ichidan verb meaning "to be able to (to accomplish)". Its polite form is できます (dekimasu), its te form is できて (dekite), its past form is できた (dekita), and its negative form is できない (dekinai).
Ichidan verbJLPT N5
Dekiru (できる) conjugation quick reference
できる means "to be able to (to accomplish)". Its main forms are listed below, with links to the grammar pattern behind each form.
Dekiru example sentences
日本語ができる。
I can speak Japanese.
水泳ができなかった。
I couldn't swim.
明日、行くことができる？
Can you go tomorrow?
How to use Dekiru: grammar notes
•Use が before the thing you can do — for example, 日本語ができる means "I can speak Japanese."
•Don't use を after the thing you can do — saying 日本語をできる is a common mistake.
•You can use できる with nouns or verbs (with the こと form) — like ピアノができる ("I can play the piano") or 泳ぐことができる ("I can swim").
•JLPT N5 level
Common phrases with Dekiru
日本語ができる
I can speak Japanese / I’m able to use Japanese
手伝いができる
I can help / I’m able to assist
予約ができる
I can make a reservation / A reservation can be made
Dekiru (できる) conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Forms | ||
| Dictionary Form | できる | dekiru |
| Masu Form | できます | dekimasu |
| Te Form | できて | dekite |
| Past Form | できた | dekita |
| Negative Form | できない | dekinai |
| Past Negative | できなかった | dekinakatta |
| Polite Forms | ||
| Polite Present | できます | dekimasu |
| Polite Past | できました | dekimashita |
| Polite Negative | できません | dekimasen |
| Polite Past Negative | できませんでした | dekimasendeshita |
| Advanced Forms | ||
| Potential Form | できられる | dekirareru |
| Passive Form | できられる | dekirareru |
| Causative Form | できさせる | dekisaseru |
| Causative Passive | できさせられる | dekisaserareru |
| Volitional Form | できよう | dekiyou |
| Imperative Form | できろ | dekiro |
| Conditional Forms | ||
| Conditional (ば) | できれば | dekireba |
| Conditional (たら) | できたら | dekitara |
| Other Forms | ||
| Progressive Form | できている | dekiteiru |
| Desire (たい) | できたい | dekitai |
| Prohibition | できるな | dekiruna |