How to Say ‘We used to be able to do that.’ in Japanese
前はできたんですが。
mae wa deki ta n desu ga
[mae wa deki ta n desu ga]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This kind of unfinished-sounding phrase is very normal in Japanese when giving a gentle refusal or explanation. The speaker may stop here and let you understand the implied "but not now."
Phrase Breakdown
前は
mae wa
before; previously
Refers to a past situation or time.
前は安かったです。
It was cheaper before.
Words in this phrase
前
mae
[mae]
before; previously
Refers to a past situation, often to contrast with now.
前はできたんですが。
It used to be possible before, though.
は
wa
[wa]
topic marker
Marks the earlier time as the topic.
前はできたんですが。
It used to be possible before, though.
できたんですが
deki ta n desu ga
it used to be possible, but...
Shows that something was possible in the past, with a contrast or implied problem now.
前はできたんですが、今はできません。
It used to be possible, but now it isn't.
Words in this phrase
でき
deki
[deki]
could do; was possible
Shows that something used to be possible.
前はできたんですが。
It used to be possible before, though.
た
ta
[ta]
past tense ending
Shows that the possibility existed in the past.
前はできたんですが。
It used to be possible before, though.
ん
n
[n]
explanatory n
Adds explanatory nuance, often sounding softer and more natural.
前はできたんですが。
It used to be possible before, though.
です
desu
[desu]
is; polite copula
Part of the polite explanatory structure.
前はできたんですが。
It used to be possible before, though.
が
ga
[ga]
but; though
Leaves the sentence slightly open-ended, often implying disagreement or inconvenience.
前はできたんですが。
It used to be possible before, though.
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