#41

Asking whether something you want to do is possible

チケットを買うことができますか Can we buy tickets?

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Mi Ya calls out to Tam. She seems to have found some news.

Skit
Vocabulary

見る

miru

look

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ピアノコンクール

piano-konkuuru

piano competition

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優勝する

yuushoo-suru

win

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ほんと

honto

right (casual)

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すごい

sugoi

fantastic

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来月

raigetsu

next month

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2日

futsuka

second

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コンサート

konsaato

recital/concert

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ある

aru

be held

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行く

iku

go

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チケット

chiketto

ticket

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買う

kau

buy

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予約する

yoyaku-suru

reserve

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Key Phrase

Asking whether something you want to do is possible

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To ask whether something you want to do is possible, use "[the verb's dictionary form] + koto ga dekimasu ka." "Dekimasu" is the MASU-form of "dekiru" or "can do." "XXX koto ga dekimasu (dekiru)" indicates that something is possible.

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Try asking whether you can do something you want to do

1Which of these three choices is the correct way to say this sentence in Japanese?

Excuse me. Can I make reservations?

make reservations

席を予約する

seki o yoyaku-suru

2Say the sentence in Japanese, using the following word(s).

Excuse me. Can I XXX?

すみません。~ことができますか。

Sumimasen. ~koto ga dekimasu ka.

do the laundry

洗濯をする

sentaku o suru

3Say the sentence in Japanese, using the following word(s).

Excuse me. Can I XXX?

すみません。~ことができますか。

Sumimasen. ~koto ga dekimasu ka.

borrow a hair dryer

ドライヤーを借りる

doraiyaa o kariru

Step-up

Dates

Learn more!

Kanji

sashimi (raw fish)

Culture

Haru-san’s Bagful of Advice

Kabuki: A Traditional Art of Japan

Kabuki is one of Japan's best-known traditional performing arts. Male actors play both men's and women's roles.

Impressive makeup outlines and exaggerates the veins and muscles. Red lines indicate a good person, while indigo indicates a villain.

Actors stop to strike a pose. The purpose of this is said to be giving the audience something like a close up in the days when there were no electric stage lights or cameras.

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