できる

verb (ichidan)

to be able to, to be possible

1. to be able to, can

Expresses ability or possibility. Often used with nouns or the potential meaning of verbs.

I can speak Japanese.

Noun + ができる

Can you cook?

I became able to swim since I was a child.

V dict + ことができる

You can take photos in this park, but you cannot touch the animals.

He can speak both English and Chinese, so I have him help when talking with foreign customers.

2. to be completed, to be made

For something to come into existence or be finished.

ビルができた。

A building was completed.

Completion sense

The preparations are done.

A new shop opened in front of the station.

This desk is made of wood.

でできている = made of

A large park was built nearby, and children play there every day.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). No pair verb. Pattern: Xができる (X is possible/able).

ASPECT: ている indicates resulting state. できている = 'is ready/completed' or 'is made of.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

Ability patterns: [noun]ができる (ability with noun); [V dict]ことができる (ability with verb).

Note: Subject takes が, not を.

basic

Added 2026.1.7 21:06 · Revised 2026.2.12 8:55

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