By Harupaka Japanese

In this insightful video, Harupaka from Harupaka Japanese breaks down the complexities of expressing 'can' in Japanese. While many learners are taught that できる means 'can,' Harupaka explains that the Japanese language includes a variety of nuanced ways to express ability or possibility depending on context, verb type, and sentence structure. This video serves as a practical guide filled with examples and exercises, helping learners deeply understand the underlying grammar and proper usages.

Harupaka introduces eight or more methods to say 'can' in Japanese, separating them into conjugation patterns for ru-verbs and u-verbs. She links two other videos for more detailed instruction on these verb types and how to conjugate them properly, offering a comprehensive learning toolkit. Throughout the video, she provides exercises to help consolidate understanding with real-world examples, making this content not just informational but also interactive.

One major takeaway is that できる is only appropriate in certain cases, mainly when referring to general abilities or possibilities. However, different conjugations and grammatical patterns are required when emphasizing other forms of capability, especially when applied to different verb types. This clarification is invaluable for learners hoping to use more natural-sounding Japanese.

The video also includes helpful resources for students who want to become more fluent in Japanese. Harupaka shares links to her sticker shop, where she sells language-learning stickers like “Please speak slowly in Japanese.” Additionally, she promotes private lessons through Preply and italki, making it easy for viewers to put their new knowledge into action by speaking directly with a native speaker.

Overall, this is a must-watch for any learner who feels stuck using できる and wants to sound more natural and fluent in Japanese communication.