出来る

• Reading: できる
• Romaji: dekiru
• Kanji breakdown: 出 (shutsu/de) — to go out, to exit; 来 (rai/ki) — to come
• Pronunciation: /de.ki.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be able to do; to be possible; to be ready. One of the most essential verbs for expressing ability.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb conjugated by dropping る (出来て, 出来た, 出来ます). Often written in hiragana as できる. This is the potential form used independently: 日本語ができる (can speak Japanese), 料理ができる (can cook). Also means 'to be completed/ready': ご飯ができた (dinner is ready). Takes が for the object of ability.

Examples

1. 日本語が少しできます。 I can speak a little Japanese.
2. 明日までにできますか。 Can you finish it by tomorrow?
3. 新しいビルができました。 A new building was completed.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, ability, work

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 出 (to come out) and 来 (to come), literally meaning 'to come out/forth' — something that emerges as possible or complete.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal