ことができます - can do ~ (ability/possibility)

〜ことができます

Meaning

States that an action is possible or that the speaker has the ability to do it.

Explanation

Turning a verb into a noun-like phrase with こと and following it with できます ("is possible/able") expresses general ability or possibility. It's a safe, beginner-friendly way to say "can" before learning the shorter potential verb forms taught at a later level.

Formation

Verb (dictionary form) + ことができます

Examples

田中さんは日本語を話すことができます。
たなかさんはにほんごをはなすことができます。
Mr. Tanaka can speak Japanese.
ここで写真を撮ることができません。
ここでしゃしんをとることができません。
You cannot take photos here.

Grammar explanations and example sentences written for NihongoTech.