(Joy making an OK sign saying Dekimasu [Standard Polite] vs. Ken presenting professionally saying Kanou desu [Formal Business])
“I can change the schedule.” (Conversational) -> スケジュール変更できます。 (Standard Polite)
“It is possible to change the schedule.” (Professional) -> スケジュール変更可能です。 (Formal / Objective)
When you want to say “I can do it” or “It is possible,” the first word you learn is できます (Dekimasu). While perfectly polite for the office, Japanese business communication prefers words that sound objective and logical rather than personal. To sound like a true professional, especially in writing, you should upgrade to 可能です (Kanou desu). Let’s watch Joy draft an email to a client.
🗣 Conversation Scene
Director Tanaka asks Joy to reply to an important client regarding a website update.
(Joy, please email the client and tell them we can change the design by Friday.)
(Yes! Um, “We can change it by Friday [henkou dekimasu]”… Send!)
[ Ken reviews the sent email and gives Joy some advice. ]
(Joy, it’s not wrong, but in an official email to a client, writing “henkou kanou desu” makes it a more objective and trustworthy business sentence.)
💡 Explanation
Conversational Ability vs. Objective Fact
できます (Dekimasu) sounds slightly subjective and conversational (“I/We have the ability to do it”). 可能です (Kanou desu) sounds objective and formal (“Under the current conditions, it is a possible fact”).
1. できます (Dekimasu) = Can do / Able to 🗣️
Level: Standard Polite (Spoken Japanese)
“Dekimasu” is fantastic for spoken, everyday office communication. When talking face-to-face with your boss or coworkers, it shows a positive, proactive attitude. However, because it is an everyday word, it can sound a bit too casual or “soft” when used in formal business emails or contracts.
- [To a boss in the hallway] はい、今日中に終わらせることができます。
(Yes, I can finish it by today. *Spoken/Proactive*) - [To a coworker] Excelの操作、できますか？
(Can you operate Excel? *Checking personal ability*)
2. 可能です (Kanou desu) = It is possible 💼
Level: Formal Business (Written/Objective Japanese)
“Kanou desu” is a Chinese-origin word (Kango), which naturally makes it sound smarter, stricter, and more formal. In business, removing personal feelings makes a statement sound more reliable. You use this when confirming schedules, system limits, and official company policies to clients.
- [In a client email] 納期の変更は可能です。
(It is possible to change the delivery date. *Professional Fact*) - [Presenting to a VIP] このシステムで、データの自動化が可能です。
(With this system, data automation is possible. *Objective capability*)
📊 Comparison Table
🚧 The Opposite: “Dekimasen” vs “Fukanou desu”
The same rule applies when saying “I cannot.” Saying できません (Dekimasen) to a client sounds very direct and slightly emotional (“I won’t do it / I can’t”). Saying 不可能です (Fukanou desu – It is impossible) or 対応いたしかねます (Taiou itashikanemasu) sounds like an objective company rule, which softens the blow and sounds much more polite.
🔥 Practice Quiz
Tap to check the answer!
