- 1 What Does Dekiru Mean? How to Say “Can” in Japanese
- 1.1 How to write and pronounce dekiru
- 1.2 Dekiru conjugation
- 1.3 Meaning 1: “can” or “be able to”
- 1.4 Dekiru vs the potential form
- 1.5 Meaning 2: “be completed” or “be ready”
- 1.6 Meaning 3: “be made,” “be built,” or “be created”
- 1.7 Meaning 4: “come into existence” or “form”
- 1.8 Meaning 5: “capable” or “competent”
- 1.9 Common expressions with dekiru
- 1.10 Dekiru vs wakaru
- 1.11 Dekiru vs shiru
- 1.12 Particles with dekiru
- 1.13 Common mistakes
- 1.14 Mini quiz
- 1.15 FAQ
- 1.16 Summary
- 1.17 Related guides
- 1.18 References
What Does Dekiru Mean? How to Say “Can” in Japanese
Meta description: Learn what dekiru means in Japanese: can and be able to, completed or ready, be made, form relationships, conjugation, and natural examples.
できる can mean:
1. can / be able to
2. be completed / be ready
3. be made, built, or created
4. come into existence; form
5. be good at something, in expressions such as できる人
How to write and pronounce dekiru
Hiragana: できる
Kanji: 出来る
Romaji: dekiru
Modern everyday writing often uses hiragana できる, especially when it means “can.” The kanji 出来る is also correct and may appear in general writing.
Dekiru conjugation
できる is a Group 2 (ichidan) verb.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | できる | can; be completed |
| Polite | できます | can; is possible |
| Negative | できない | cannot |
| Polite negative | できません | cannot |
| Past | できた | could; was completed; is ready |
| て-form | できて | being completed; and can |
| Conditional | できれば | if possible |
Meaning 1: “can” or “be able to”
Noun ができる
With activities expressed as nouns, the ability is normally marked with が.
私は日本語ができます。
Watashi wa Nihongo ga dekimasu.
I can use/speak Japanese.
妹は料理ができます。
Imōto wa ryōri ga dekimasu.
My younger sister can cook.
ここでカード払いができます。
Koko de kādo-barai ga dekimasu.
You can pay by card here.
Depending on context, 日本語ができる may mean “can speak Japanese,” “knows Japanese,” or “is competent in Japanese.” For the specific ability to speak, 日本語が話せる is more precise.
Dictionary-form verb + ことができる
This pattern turns an entire action into “can do.”
この図書館では本を借りることができます。
Kono toshokan de wa hon o kariru koto ga dekimasu.
You can borrow books at this library.
明日は参加することができません。
Ashita wa sanka suru koto ga dekimasen.
I cannot participate tomorrow.
In everyday conversation, the verb’s potential form is often shorter and more natural:
| ことができる | Potential form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 食べることができる | 食べられる | can eat |
| 行くことができる | 行ける | can go |
| 読むことができる | 読める | can read |
| することができる | できる | can do |
Dekiru vs the potential form
Both can express ability or possibility, but their style and focus can differ.
漢字が読めます。
Kanji ga yomemasu.
I can read kanji.
漢字を読むことができます。
Kanji o yomu koto ga dekimasu.
It is possible for me/one to read kanji.
The first is compact and conversational. The second can sound more explanatory or formal. It is common in facility descriptions, instructions, and policy statements.
Meaning 2: “be completed” or “be ready”
This meaning is extremely common in daily conversation.
宿題ができました。
Shukudai ga dekimashita.
My homework is done.
晩ごはんができたよ。
Bangohan ga dekita yo.
Dinner is ready!
準備ができました。
Junbi ga dekimashita.
The preparations are complete / I’m ready.
The casual exclamation できた！ can mean “I did it!”, “It’s done!”, or “I got it!” depending on the situation.
Meaning 3: “be made,” “be built,” or “be created”
できる can describe the appearance of a new object, place, product, or feature.
駅の前に新しいホテルができました。
Eki no mae ni atarashii hoteru ga dekimashita.
A new hotel was built in front of the station.
この机は木でできています。
Kono tsukue wa ki de dekite imasu.
This desk is made of wood.
新しいアプリができました。
Atarashii apuri ga dekimashita.
A new app has been created.
N でできている: be made of
Use material + でできている to say what something is made from.
このバッグは再生プラスチックでできています。
Kono baggu wa saisei purasuchikku de dekite imasu.
This bag is made from recycled plastic.
Meaning 4: “come into existence” or “form”
This use connects naturally to the idea of something new appearing.
日本で友達ができました。
Nihon de tomodachi ga dekimashita.
I made friends in Japan.
近所にスーパーができました。
Kinjo ni sūpā ga dekimashita.
A supermarket opened/was built in the neighborhood.
駅に長い列ができています。
Eki ni nagai retsu ga dekite imasu.
A long line has formed at the station.
Be careful with 恋人ができる and 子どもができる
恋人ができる means “get a boyfriend/girlfriend/partner.” 子どもができる can mean “have/conceive a child” and may imply pregnancy, so use it carefully.
Meaning 5: “capable” or “competent”
できる can modify a person and suggest that the person is capable, reliable, or high-performing.
彼は仕事ができる人です。
Kare wa shigoto ga dekiru hito desu.
He is a capable person at work.
できる人 often means “a competent person,” not merely “a person who can do something.” Context determines the nuance.
Common expressions with dekiru
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| できれば | if possible | できれば今日お願いします。 |
| できるだけ | as much/as soon as possible | できるだけ早く来てください。 |
| よくできました | well done | 先生が学習者を褒める表現 |
| できたて | freshly made | できたてのパン |
| 準備ができる | be ready | 準備ができました。 |
| 予約ができる | can reserve / reservation becomes possible | オンラインで予約できます。 |
| できそう | looks possible / seems able | 一人でできそうです。 |
できれば、窓側の席をお願いします。
Dekireba, madogawa no seki o onegai shimasu.
If possible, I’d like a window seat.
できるだけ早く返事してください。
Dekiru dake hayaku henji shite kudasai.
Please reply as soon as possible.
この問題ならできそうです。
Kono mondai nara dekisō desu.
It looks like I can do this problem.
よくできました！
Yoku dekimashita!
Well done!
Dekiru vs wakaru
できる is ability or successful performance. 分かる (wakaru) is understanding.
日本語が分かります。
Nihongo ga wakarimasu.
I understand Japanese.
日本語ができます。
Nihongo ga dekimasu.
I can use Japanese / I am proficient in Japanese.
You may understand an explanation but still be unable to perform the task:
やり方は分かりますが、まだ上手にできません。
Yarikata wa wakarimasu ga, mada jōzu ni dekimasen.
I understand how to do it, but I still cannot do it well.
Dekiru vs shiru
知る (shiru) means to know or find out information. できる means to have the ability or for something to become possible/complete.
彼の名前を知っています。
Kare no namae o shitte imasu.
I know his name.
彼は漢字を書くことができます。
Kare wa kanji o kaku koto ga dekimasu.
He can write kanji.
Particles with dekiru
Ability commonly uses が
ピアノができます。
Piano ga dekimasu.
I can play the piano.
Location of an activity can use で
この部屋で勉強できます。
Kono heya de benkyō dekimasu.
You can study in this room.
Place where something appears can use に
駅前にカフェができました。
Ekimae ni kafe ga dekimashita.
A café opened in front of the station.
Common mistakes
1. Using を directly with basic ability
Beginners are usually taught 日本語ができる, not 日本語をできる.
2. Treating every できた as “was able to”
できた may mean “was able to,” “finished,” “ready,” “made,” or “formed.” Check what noun or situation it refers to.
3. Overusing ことができる in casual conversation
Potential forms such as 行ける and 食べられる are often more natural in ordinary speech.
4. Confusing material and location particles
木でできている means “made of wood.” 駅前にできる means “be built/open in front of the station.”
Mini quiz
Choose the best meaning of できる.
- 晩ごはんができました。
- 日本語ができます。
- 駅前に病院ができました。
- 新しい友達ができました。
- この机は竹でできています。
Answers
1. Dinner is ready. 2. I can use/speak Japanese. 3. A hospital was built/opened. 4. I made a new friend. 5. The desk is made of bamboo.
FAQ
Does dekiru mean “can” in Japanese?
Yes. It expresses ability and possibility, either with a noun + が or with a dictionary-form verb + ことができる.
What is the kanji for dekiru?
It can be written 出来る, but hiragana できる is extremely common, particularly for the auxiliary-like meaning “can.”
What does dekita mean?
できた is the plain past form. Depending on context, it can mean “I did it,” “it is ready,” “it was completed,” “it was made,” or “it formed.”
What is the difference between dekiru and wakaru?
できる concerns ability or successful completion. 分かる concerns understanding.
Is dekiru the potential form of suru?
Yes. できる functions as the standard potential equivalent of する: する means “do,” while できる means “can do.”
Which Dekiru Do You Mean?
Dekiru covers five different ideas in English — find yours below.
eigo ga dekiru — I can speak English
gohan ga dekita — dinner is ready
ki de dekiteiru — made of wood
kodomo ga dekita — expecting a child
※ Careful: できた does not always mean “was able to” — with food or a project, it usually means “it’s done.”
Summary
● Ability: 日本語ができる — can use Japanese.
● Possibility: 予約することができる — can reserve.
● Completion: 宿題ができた — the homework is done.
● Creation: ホテルができた — a hotel was built/opened.
● Formation: 友達ができた — made a friend.
● Material: 木でできている — be made of wood.
Related guides
What Does Suru Mean?
100 Most Common Japanese Verbs
Aru vs Iru
References
Japan Foundation, Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan (Irodori Grammar Notes), beginner and elementary grammar/vocabulary materials. Example sentences in this article are original.
