Unit 4 - Section 1: Potential Form Changes
Potential Form (Can/Able To)
Learn to express capability and possibility using the potential form. Essential for discussing what you can and cannot do in Japanese.
Formation Patterns
Ichidan (ru-verbs): Remove る and add られる. The same shape is also the passive; context tells them apart.
- 見る → 見られる (can see) - miru → mirareru
- 食べる → 食べられる (can eat) - taberu → taberareru
- 起きる → 起きられる (can wake up) - okiru → okirareru
Godan (u-verbs): Change the final -u to -e and add る
| Ending | Change | Example |
|---|---|---|
| う | → える | 買う → 買える (can buy) |
| く | → ける | 書く → 書ける (can write) |
| ぐ | → げる | 泳ぐ → 泳げる (can swim) |
| す | → せる | 話す → 話せる (can speak) |
| つ | → てる | 立つ → 立てる (can stand) |
| ぬ | → ねる | 死ぬ → 死ねる (can die) |
| ぶ | → べる | 飲む → 飲める (can drink) |
| む | → める | 読む → 読める (can read) |
Irregular Verbs:
- する → できる (can do) - suru → dekiru
- 来る → 来られる (can come) - kuru → korareru
Usage Patterns
1. Can do / Able to:
私は日本語が話せます。
[Watashi wa nihongo ga hanaseimasu]
I can speak Japanese.
2. Possibility of an action (not weather forecasts):
明日は来られます。
[Ashita wa koraremasu]
I can come tomorrow.
Do not say 雨が降れます for “it might rain”. Use 雨が降るかもしれません or 雨が降りそうです.
3. Permission (milder than ～てもいい):
ここで写真が撮れますか。
[Koko de shashin ga toreimasu ka]
Can we take photos here?
Example Sentences
彼は三つの言葉が話せます。
[Kare wa mittsu no kotoba ga hanaseimasu]
Translation: He can speak three languages.
今、泳ぐことが出来ません。
[Ima, oyogu koto ga dekimasen]
Translation: I can't swim right now.
毎週、土曜日に映画が見られます。
[Mai shuu, doyoubi ni eiga ga miraremasu]
Translation: I can watch movies every Saturday.
Study Tips
Master Potential Form:
- Key pattern: Ichidan adds られる, Godan changes final -u to -e + ru
- Objects with が: Use が for the object when expressing ability (not を)
- できる alternative: ～することができる (to be able to do)
- Practice conjugation: Drill all verb groups until automatic
- Listen for it: Very common in conversations about abilities