Dekiru (出来る): Meaning, Uses, and Conjugation in Japanese

In Japanese, dekiru (出来る) usually means “can,” “to be able to,” or “to be possible.” It is one of the most common verbs for talking about ability, practical possibility, and what a situation allows. Because it appears in daily conversation, classes, signs, and polite requests, it is worth learning well from the beginning.

The most important point is simple: dekiru is the potential form of suru (to do). You will also see it in patterns such as V + koto ga dekiru, which makes the idea of “being able to do something” more explicit.

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What does dekiru mean?

In most learning contexts, dekiru is taught as “can” or “be able to.” That is the meaning you need most often, but dictionaries also list broader uses such as “to be ready,” “to be completed,” and “to be made.” In other words, context matters.

For grammar study, the core idea is that dekiru marks ability or possibility. It can describe a learned skill, something physically possible, or something allowed by the circumstances.

Common conjugations

Dekiru behaves like an ichidan verb, so its basic forms are easy to memorize:

Form	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
Dictionary	出来る / できる	dekiru	can; to be able to
Polite	出来ます	dekimasu	can (polite)
Negative	出来ない	dekinai	cannot
Polite negative	出来ません	dekimasen	cannot (polite)
Past	出来た	dekita	could; was completed
Past negative	出来なかった	dekinakatta	could not
Polite past	出来ました	dekimashita	could; was completed (polite)
Polite past negative	出来ませんでした	dekimasen deshita	could not (polite)

How dekiru is used

1. Ability and skill

Use dekiru when you want to say that someone has the ability or skill to do something.

私たちは泳ぐことができる
Watashitachi wa oyogu koto ga dekiru

Translation: We can swim.

彼女はピアノができる
Kanojo wa piano ga dekiru

Translation: She can play the piano.

In expressions like piano ga dekiru or Nihongo ga dekiru, the idea is not only raw ability. It can also suggest familiarity or practical command.

2. Situational possibility

Dekiru is also useful when something is possible because of the situation, the rules, or the conditions around you.

この料理は30分でできる
Kono ryouri wa sanjuppun de dekiru

Translation: This dish can be made in 30 minutes.

ここで写真を撮ることができる
Koko de shashin o toru koto ga dekiru

Translation: It is possible to take photos here.

This is why forms with dekiru often sound natural in shops, stations, schools, and travel situations: they describe what is allowed or feasible.

3. koto ga dekiru and noun patterns

There are two patterns beginners see all the time:

• Verb dictionary form + ことができる: a clear and slightly more explicit way to say someone can do an action.
• Noun + ができる: common with activities, languages, and skills.

Compare these examples:

この漢字を読むことができます
Kono kanji o yomu koto ga dekimasu

Translation: I can read this kanji.

日本語ができる
Nihongo ga dekiru

Translation: I can use Japanese.

The first pattern focuses on a specific action. The second is shorter and often sounds more natural with a language, a school subject, or an activity.

Extra examples

Here are a few more everyday sentences:

彼は運転することができる
Kare wa unten suru koto ga dekiru

Translation: He can drive.

この本は簡単に読むことができる
Kono hon wa kantan ni yomu koto ga dekiru

Translation: This book is easy to read.

こんなうるさいところでは勉強ができません
Konna urusai tokoro de wa benkyou ga dekimasen

Translation: I cannot study in such a noisy place.

Sources

• Maggie Sensei: how to use 出来る (dekiru)
• Tofugu: Japanese potential form
• Cambridge Dictionary: 出来る

Conclusion

Once you understand that dekiru connects ability, possibility, and the potential form of suru, many common Japanese expressions become much easier to read and use. It is a small verb, but it appears in a wide range of real situations, from casual conversation to polite questions.

Practice it with short examples first, then pay attention to how native materials use it with verbs, nouns, and set expressions. That is the fastest way to make dekiru feel natural in your own Japanese.