what determines the type of jutsu ninjas can do in naruto?

for ninja in naruto, a person can use only certain types of change in chakra natures. the kinds are fire, wind, lightning, earth and water. some ninja can use 1 and some can use more depending on their skill. (you probably dont know this yet but naruto uses wind change in chakra nature). ten ten uses summoning and summons weapons. kakashi can use a lot of change in chakra natures because he has the sharingan and copies different jutsus from different people. i think he is originally lightning style because his only original jutsu is lightning blade. i think gaara uses sand because its a kind of earth and he is from the sand village.

well, if you "just" started watching Naruto, then i can see why you don't really follow and understand.

as the show progresses it will (slowly, sumtimes) explain what jutsu's are and how and why certain characters have certain abilities.

for example , Tenten, she is considered a shuriken / weapons expert, however, she can also do other things, such as "tai" jutsu (physical hand-to-hand type combat.)

as for Kakashi, he can do many styles because he has a "sharingan" eye.

but, i do not want to say too much, cause then it will spoil the story / anime.

in short, in order to know and understand, you have to watch. they Do explain things. just in a certain order and pace.

also, the manga goes into greater detail than the anime.

hope i helped a little.

try to be a little patient and enjoy, it is a good story.

have fun.

it depends what chakra nature a person has or wether they have kekkay genkais