One of the most empowering steps in learning Japanese is when you can finally express what you’re able to do. How do you say “I can speak Japanese,” “I can eat natto,” or “I can read that kanji”? The answer lies in the potential form (可能形, kanōkei). This verb conjugation is your key to talking about ability and possibility.
While it might sound complex, forming the potential verb is surprisingly straightforward. The rules are based on the three verb groups you already know—Ichidan, Godan, and Irregular—and once you learn the pattern, you’ll be able to use it everywhere. This guide will walk you through the rules, the crucial particle change, and some common pitfalls to avoid.
How to Create the Potential Form: The Rules by Group
Let’s break down the conjugation for each verb group. You’ll notice that all potential verbs, once conjugated, end in `る` (ru) and behave like Ichidan (Group 2) verbs for any further conjugations (like making them polite or negative).
Group 1: Godan Verbs (う-verbs)
For Godan verbs, the rule is simple: change the final う-sound kana to its corresponding え-sound kana and add る (ru).
Let’s look at the pattern:
- Verbs ending in う (u) → える (eru)
- Verbs ending in く (ku) → ける (keru)
- Verbs ending in す (su) → せる (seru)
- Verbs ending in つ (tsu) → てる (teru)
- Verbs ending in ぬ (nu) → ねる (neru)
- Verbs ending in ぶ (bu) → べる (beru)
- Verbs ending in む (mu) → める (meru)
- Verbs ending in る (ru) → れる (reru)
Examples:
話す(hanasu, to speak) →話せる(hanaseru, can speak)書く(kaku, to write) →書ける(kakeru, can write)読む(yomu, to read) →読める(yomeru, can read)泳ぐ(oyogu, to swim) →泳げる(oyogeru, can swim)待つ(matsu, to wait) →待てる(materu, can wait)買う(kau, to buy) →買える(kaeru, can buy)作る(tsukuru, to make) →作れる(tsukureru, can make)
Group 2: Ichidan Verbs (る-verbs)
For Ichidan verbs, simply drop the final る (ru) and add られる (rareru).
Examples:
寝る(neru, to sleep) →寝られる(nerareru, can sleep)食べる(taberu, to eat) →食べられる(taberareru, can eat)見る(miru, to see/watch) →見られる(mirareru, can see/watch)起きる(okiru, to wake up) →起きられる(okirareru, can wake up)
A Note on “Ra-nuki Kotoba” (ら抜き言葉)
In casual, everyday speech, Japanese speakers often drop the ら (ra) from the potential form of Group 2 verbs. This is called ra-nuki (ら抜き, “ra-omission”). So in this case, for example 見られる becomes 見れる. While extremely common and widely understood, this shortened form is considered grammatically incorrect in formal settings, writing, and examinations like the JLPT. It’s best to learn the full ～られる form and use it in formal situations.
Irregular (Group 3) Verbs: Just Memorize These Two
As always, these two verbs play by their own rules.
する (suru) → できる (dekiru) – can do
来る (kuru) → 来られる (korareru) – can come
The Crucial Particle Shift: を (o) often becomes が (ga)
This is one of the most important rules when using the potential form. When you say you “can do” something, the direct object that would normally be marked with を (o) is now usually marked with が (ga). This is because the object of your ability is now seen as the subject of the potential verb.
Standard Sentence (Doing an action)
私は日本語を話します。
わたしはにほんごをはなします。
Watashi wa Nihongo o hanashimasu.
I speak Japanese.
Potential Sentence (Having an ability)
私は日本語が話せます。
わたしはにほんごがはなせます。
Watashi wa Nihongo ga hanasemasu.
I can speak Japanese.
While using を (o) is sometimes acceptable, using が (ga) is far more common and sounds more natural to native speakers. When in doubt, make the switch!
Special Cases and Common Pitfalls
There are a few special verbs and distinctions that are important to learn to achieve true fluency with the potential form.
The Superpower of できる (dekiru)
できる is not just the potential of する; it’s also a standalone verb that can mean “to be able to” or “to be completed/made.” You can attach it to almost any noun to say you can do that thing.
[Noun] + ができます
例 (rei) – Example:
田中さんはピアノができます。 (Tanaka-san wa piano ga dekimasu.) – Mr. Tanaka can play the piano.
ここで予約ができますか。 (Koko de yoyaku ga dekimasu ka.) – Can I make a reservation here?
Can See vs. Is Visible: 見られる vs. 見える
This is a very common point of confusion. There are two ways to say “can see.”
見られる (mirareru): This is the potential form of 見る (miru). It means you are able to watch something, implying you have the time, permission, or means to do so.
時間があれば、その映画が見られます。 (Jikan ga areba, sono eiga ga miraremasu.) – If I have time, I can watch that movie.
見える (mieru): This is a separate, intransitive verb meaning something is naturally visible to you; it’s in your line of sight.
ここから富士山が見えます。 (Koko kara Fuji-san ga miemasu.) – You can see Mt. Fuji from here.
Can Hear vs. Is Audible: 聞ける vs. 聞こえる
The same logic applies to hearing.
聞ける (kikeru): This is the potential form of 聞く (kiku). It means you are able to listen to something.
このアプリで日本のラジオが聞けます。 (Kono apuri de Nihon no rajio ga kikemasu.) – You can listen to Japanese radio with this app.
聞こえる (kikoeru): This is a separate, intransitive verb meaning a sound is audible; it reaches your ears.
あなたの声がよく聞こえません。 (Anata no koe ga yoku kikoemasen.) – I can’t hear your voice well.
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