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    うまくできない (umaku dekinai) - cannot do it well

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    neutral

    How it works

    This phrase combines the adverb うまく (umaku), which is the adverbial form of the adjective うまい (umai, meaning 'good/skillful'), with できない (dekinai), the negative potential form of the verb する (suru, 'to do'). It literally means 'cannot do skillfully' or 'cannot do well'. It expresses an inability to perform an action satisfactorily or competently.

    Sample sentences

    日本語はまだうまく話せないんです。

    I still can't speak Japanese well.

    このパソコンの操作がうまくできない。

    I can't operate this computer well.

    彼の気持ちをうまく表現できない時がある。

    There are times when I can't express his feelings well.

    Quick facts

    nuance:Implies a lack of skill or difficulty in execution, rather than a complete impossibility. It often carries a sense of frustration or imperfection.
    component_breakdown:うまく (umaku): adverbial form of うまい (umai - skillful, good). できない (dekinai): negative potential form of する (suru - to do), meaning 'cannot do'.

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    日本語はまだうまく話せないんです。

    I still can't speak Japanese well.

    このパソコンの操作がうまくできない。

    I can't operate this computer well.

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