Introduction to Potential Form
The potential form in Japanese is used to express the ability or possibility of doing something. It translates roughly to "can do" or "be able to do" in English. For example, the verb 食べる (taberu) means "to eat," and its potential form 食べられる (taberareru) means "can eat."
The potential form is formed differently depending on the verb group: Ichidan (ru-verbs), Godan (u-verbs), and irregular verbs.
日本語が話せます。
Nihongo ga hanasemasu.
I can speak Japanese.
Conjugation for Ichidan Verbs
Ichidan verbs, also called ru-verbs, form the potential by replacing the final る with られる. This is the simplest pattern for the potential form.
| Verb | Potential Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 食べる (taberu) | 食べられる (taberareru) | can eat |
| 見る (miru) | 見られる (mirareru) | can see |
映画が見られます。
Eiga ga miraremasu.
I can watch movies.
Conjugation for Godan Verbs
Godan verbs (u-verbs) form the potential by changing the final う-sound to the corresponding え-sound and adding る. This is a common pattern but requires memorization of the stem changes.
| Verb | Potential Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 書く (kaku) | 書ける (kakeru) | can write |
| 泳ぐ (oyogu) | 泳げる (oyogeru) | can swim |
| 話す (hanasu) | 話せる (hanaseru) | can speak |
| 待つ (matsu) | 待てる (materu) | can wait |
手紙が書けます。
Tegami ga kakemasu.
I can write a letter.
Irregular Verbs in Potential Form
The two most common irregular verbs, する (to do) and 来る (to come), have unique potential forms:
| Verb | Potential Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| する (suru) | できる (dekiru) | can do |
| 来る (kuru) | 来られる (korareru) | can come |
サッカーができます。
Sakkā ga dekimasu.
I can play soccer.
東京に来られますか？
Tōkyō ni koraremasu ka?
Can you come to Tokyo?
Usage and Meaning
The potential form expresses:
- Ability or capability to do something.
- Possibility that something can happen.
It is often used with particles such as が to mark the object or skill one can perform.
ピアノが弾けます。
Piano ga hikemasu.
I can play the piano.
この問題が解けますか？
Kono mondai ga tokemasu ka?
Can you solve this problem?
Negation in Potential Form
To make the potential form negative, conjugate the potential form verb into the negative polite form by changing ます to ません. For example, 書けます (can write) becomes 書けません (cannot write).
泳げません。
Oyogemasen.
I cannot swim.
In casual speech, the plain negative form is used by conjugating the potential form verb into ない. For example, 話せる becomes 話せない.
話せない。
Hanasenai.
I cannot speak.
Practice Examples
Try reading and understanding these sentences using the potential form:
彼はピアノが弾けます。
Kare wa piano ga hikemasu.
He can play the piano.
私は車を運転できます。
Watashi wa kuruma o untenshimasu.
I can drive a car.
この漢字が読めますか？
Kono kanji ga yomemasu ka?
Can you read this kanji?
魚が食べられません。
Sakana ga taberaremasen.
I cannot eat fish.
Tips for Remembering Rules
- Ichidan verbs are easier: just replace る with られる.
- For Godan verbs, memorize the stem changes from う-sound to え-sound plus る.
- Remember the irregular verbs する → できる and 来る → 来られる.
- Use the particle が to mark what you can do.
- Practice conjugating verbs with different endings to build confidence.