In Japanese, potential forms are used to show that someone can or might do something. In other words, to discuss things that could potentially happen.
There are two main ways to form potential in Japanese:
The short potential form: verb + られる[rareru]
The long potential form: verb + ことができる[koto ga dekiru]
Although we use Japanese potential forms in many of the same situations where you would use “can” in English, the patterns aren’t exactly the same. I often see learners overusing the forms or forgetting to use them where necessary.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to form Japanese potential forms and when and how to use them in Japanese sentences. Everyone has the potential to become fluent in Japanese. Let’s get to it!
How to make the short potential form?
As mentioned above, we have two kinds of potential forms: short form and long form. First, we are going to focus on the short form. It is made by changing the form of a verb, but how to change it varies depending on the verb group. Let’s see them one by one.
Ru-verbs
To make the potential form of ru-verbs, simply remove the final syllable る[ru] of ru-verbs and add られる[rareru].
Talking casually?The ら[ra] of the られる[rareru] ending is often dropped in informal conversation, e.g., たべられる[taberareru] becomes たべれる[tabereru]. However, you should avoid this ra-less form in formal settings since it’s still considered substandard.
U-verbs
To make the potential form of u-verbs, drop the final “u” sound of u-verbs and add “eru.” For instance, when you make the potential form of the u-verb あう[au], replace “u” with “e” and add “ru,” which results in あえる[aeru].
The rule for u-verbs looks a bit complicated in writing, but if you think about the order of hiragana, it’ll get easier. Just remember that all you need to do is replace final u-sound hiragana with e-sound one.
For example, as we saw earlier, the verb いく[iku] ends in く[ku] which is in the k-column on the hiragana table. All you need to do, then, is move one column down, and replace the く[ku] with け[ke]. From there you just add る[ru] and you've got your full form: いける[ikeru]
Irregular verbs
Unfortunately, there is no rule for irregular verbs like する[suru] and くる[kuru]. You just have to memorize their potential forms. 😢
You'll also use the potential verb できる[dekiru] to form the potential forms of verbs with a noun + する[suru] structure, like 勉強する[benkyōsuru](to study) and 掃除する[sōji suru](to clean).
How to make the long potential form?
Long potential forms are slightly longer but easier to create. You can simply add ことができる[koto ga dekiru] to the dictionary form of each verb.
| みることができる miru koto ga dekiru |
書くことができます。
Kaku koto ga dekimasu.
To negate this form, simply change できる to its negative form, できない[dekinai].
話すことができません。
Hanasu koto ga dekimasen.
How to conjugate the potential form
Potential forms, whether short or long, as regular ru-verbs. This is true regardless of the verb category of the base verb.
Plain | | みることができる miru koto ga dekiru |
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Plain Negative | | みることができない miru koto ga dekinai |
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Polite | | みることができます miru koto ga dekimasu |
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-te Form | | みることができて miru koto ga dekite |
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Short vs. long potential forms: What's the difference?
In most cases, the short potential form is used, but there are some cases where the long form is preferred:
Showing formality. The long form sounds formal and bookish. It’s used often in formal writing.
Clarifying the meaning. The long form is also used to clarify the meaning when the short potential forms are identical to other grammatical forms. For instance, the potential form of a ru-verb is exactly the same as its passive and honorific forms.
People usually decide the meaning depending on the context, but if you want to avoid a misunderstanding, you can use the long form instead of the short form.
Possible interpretations:
a) I can teach.
b) (Someone) is taught.
c) Someone teaches (respectfully).
→ short form is ambiguous
教えることができます。
Oshieru koto ga dekimasu.
→ long form clarifies meaning
What particles to use with the potential form?
You can use potential forms in sentences like regular verbs, but there are three points you need to know about particles used with the forms.
Mark the subject with に [ni]
Most often, a potential verb will be used without a , since we assume, from context, that you're talking about your own capabilities. For example:
漢字を書けます。
Kanji o kakemasu.
However, if you want to say who is or isn't able to do something, you'll mark that subject with the particle に [ni].
彼に、この仕事ができるでしょうか。
Kare ni kono shigoto ga dekiru deshō ka.
I wonder if he can do this job.
lit. For him, is it possible to do this job?
犬に、そんなことができるとは思いません。
Inu ni son’na koto ga dekiru towa omoimasen.
I don’t think dogs can do things like that.
lit. For dogs, I don’t think it’s possible to do things like that.
If you want to compare the capabilities of two individuals, you may need to add the contrast marker は[wa] after the particle に[ni].
田中さんにはこのかばんが買えるけど、私には買えません。
Tanaka san ni wa kono kaban ga kaeru kedo, watashi ni wa kaemasen.
Ms. Tanaka can buy this bag, but I cannot buy it.
この料理は、シェフには簡単に作れるけど、初心者には作れません。
Kono ryōri wa shefu ni wa kantan ni tsukureru kedo, syoshinsha ni wa tsukuremasen.
Chefs can make this dish easily, but beginners cannot make it.
Mark the object with を [o] or が [ga]
You can use either を[o] or が[ga] to mark the of a potential verb. This is different from non-potential verbs, where the direct object is always marked by を[o].
漢字を書きます。 Kanji o kakimasu. | 漢字 を・が 書けます。 Kanji o / ga kakemasu. |
日本語を話します。 Nihongo o hanashimasu. | 日本語 を・が 話せます。 Nihongo o / ga hanasemasu. |
In most cases, it doesn't matter whether the direct object of a potential verb is marked with を[o] or が[ga]. It's just a matter of style, like the difference between "I can do that" and "It's possible for me to do that."
However, there are some special cases that you should be aware of:
When the subject expresses volition or control over the outcome, it's best to mark the direct object with を[o].
Speaker A:レポートはもう終わりましたか。
Repōto ha mō owarimashita ka.
Did you finish your report?
Speaker B (Natural Response)✅すみません、まだです。でも、明日までには、レポートを書けると思います。
Sumimasen, mada desu. Demo, ashita made ni wa, repōto o kakeru to omoimasu.
Sorry, not yet. But I think I can write the report by tomorrow.
→ This sounds natural, since the speaker has control over whether the report gets finished.
Speaker B (unnatural response)❓ すみません、まだです。でも、明日までには、レポートが書けると思います。
Sumimasen, mada desu. Demo, ashita made ni wa, repōto ga kakeru to omoimasu.
→ This sounds less natural, since the speaker should have control over whether the report gets finished.
When the subject is included, marked by に[ni], the object can only be marked by が[ga].
✅ 犬に、そんなことができるとは思いません。
Inu ni son’na koto ga dekiru towa omoimasen.
I don’t think dogs can do things like that.
❌ 犬に、そんなことをできるとは思いません。
Inu ni son’na koto o dekiru towa omoimasen.
I don’t think dogs can do things like that.
lit. For dogs, I don’t think it’s possible to do things like that.
The direct object of the potential form できる[dekiru](can do) is only ever marked by が[ga]. Because できる[dekiru] is the short potential form of する[suru], this rule affects all verbs with the structure noun + する[suru]!
田中さんはスポーツをします。 Tanaka san wa supōtsu o shimasu. Tanaka plays (lit. does) sports. | 田中さんはスポーツができます。 Tanaka san wa supōtsu ga dekimasu. Tanaka can play (lit. do) sports. |
The particle を[o] is also used to indicate space or a place that one departs from. In this case, it cannot be replaced with が[ga].
８時までに家を出ます。 Hachi ji made ni ie o demasu. I will leave my house by 8 a.m. | ✅ ８時までに家を出られます。 Hachi ji made ni ie o deraremasu. I can leave my house by 8 a.m. ❌ ８時までに家が出られます。 Hachi ji made ni ie ga deraremasu. |
When to use the potential form?
Potential forms are mainly used to indicate:
Someone is able to do something.
That it's possible for someone to do something.
An action can be done to something.
Let's look at each of these in more detail!
Someone is able to do something
Potential forms indicate that somebody has the ability or skill to do something.
私は車が運転できます。
Watashi wa kuruma ga unten dekimasu.
You can ask about somebody’s ability in questions.
スミスさんは日本語が話せますか。
Sumisu san wa nihongo ga hanasemasu ka.
Can Mr. Smith speak Japanese?
It's possible for someone to do something
Potential forms also express a that an action could happen because somebody is able to do it.
今日中に資料が作れます。
Kyōjū ni siryō ga tsukuremasu.
I can finish making (lit. can make) handouts by today.
雨なので、今日は出かけられません。
Ame nanode, kyō wa dekakeraremasen.
Since it’s raining, I cannot go out today.
The possibility of action is determined based on two factors: ability and situation. Let’s take a look at examples below for each factor.
Someone's abilities make it possible:
たくさん練習したから、明日の試合は絶対に勝てます。
Takusan renshū shita kara, ashita no shiai wa zettai ni katemasu.
Since I practiced a lot, I will definitely (lit. it is possible to) win the game tomorrow.
→ The speaker's skills are what make winning possible.
山田さんはいつも成績がいいから、いい大学に入れると思います。
Yamada san wa itsumo seiseki ga ii kara, ii daigaku ni haireru to omoimasu.
Since Mr. Yamada always gets good grades, I think (lit. there is a possibility) that he will get accepted into a good college.
→ Mr. Yamada's skills and abilities make it possible for him to get into a good college.
The situation makes it possible:
今日は仕事が早く終わったので、５時に家に帰れます。
Kyō wa shigoto ga hayaku owatta node, goji ni ie ni kaeremasu.
As my work finished early, I can go home at 5pm today.
→ The speaker's work situation makes it possible for them to go home early.
風邪を引いたので、パーティに行けません。
Kaze o hiita node, pātii ni ikemasen.
Since I caught a cold, I cannot go to the party.
→ The speaker's health makes it impossible to go to the party.
You can also ask what someone might do by using the potential form in a question.
日本チームはオリンピックで金メダルを取れるでしょうか。
Nihon chiimu wa orinpikku de kin medaru o toreru deshō ka.
Will the Japanese team be able to win gold at the Olympics?
明日までにレポートを出せますか。
Ashita made ni repōto o dasemasu ka.
Can you submit the report by tomorrow?
An action can be done to something
Lastly, potential forms indicate that something is capable of undergoing an action. The meaning is a lot like the structure “X is verb-able” in English.
When you want to say that something is "verb-able" in Japanese, that subject will need to be marked by は[wa] instead of を[o], because they are considered the topic of the sentence.
このコンピューターは使えません。
Kono konpyūtā wa tsukaemasen.
This computer is not usable.
この車は５人乗れます。
Kono kuruma wa gonin noremasu.
This car can accommodate (lit. is rideable by) five people.
When to use the past tense of a potential verb?
When the potential form is used in the past tense, it indicates that someone had an ability in the past. Sometimes statements like this can be used to imply that they actually proved their skill by completing the task.
Someone had an ability in the past
past potential form (enabling condition)present potential form
前はたくさん食べられましたけど、今は食べられません。
Mae wa takusan taberaremashita kedo, ima wa taberaremasen.
I was able to eat a lot before, but cannot eat now.
Someone proved their ability to complete an action by completing it
past potential form (completed action)
日本に旅行した時、お店の人と日本語で話せました。
Nihon ni ryokō shita toki, omise no hito to nihongo de hanasemashita.
When I was traveling in Japan, I was able to talk to staff in Japanese.
When NOT to use the potential form?
We have seen the functions of potential forms so far. It’s also important to understand when we cannot use them. Common mistakes in overusing potential forms can be divided into two types: verb types and direct translations from the English word “can.” Let’s look into each type.
Some verbs do not have a potential form
Only verbs for actions that are done on purpose should be used in the potential form. Verbs that are not actions, or that are not done on purpose, should never be used in the potential form.
Here are some types verbs that should never be potential:
Verbs for unintentional change.
verbs that represent unintentional or uncontrollable changes, like "growing," "appearing," or "raining" should not be used in the potential form.
✅ 雨が降ります。
Ame ga furimasu.
❌ 雨が降れます。
Ame ga furemasu.
The intransitive verbs 見える[mieru](to be visible) and 聞こえる[kikoeru](to be audible) don’t have potential forms, because you can't be heard or seen on purpose.
However, the related verbs 見る[miru](to see) and 聞く[kiku](to listen) do have potential forms which are easily confused with the two intransitive verbs above.
If you really want to nail the difference in meaning between these verb pairs, think about whether the person who is seeing or hearing put any effort into it.
If seeing or hearing something takes no effort, or if you perceived it just by chance, using the intransitive verb is better:
intransitive verb
偶然、虹が見えました。
Gūzen, niji ga miemashita.
I happened to see a rainbow.
lit. A rainbow was visible (to me).
If someone needed to put active effort into perceiving something, then you're more likely to use one of the potential verbs:
potential transitive verb
明日は、日の出が見られるように、朝早く起きるつもりです。
Ashita wa, hinode ga mirareru yōni, asa hayaku okiru tsumori desu.
Tomorrow, I’m going to get up early in the morning so that I can see the sunrise.
Non-volitional verbs.
When I was in school, I couldn’t understand physics no matter how hard I tried (and still cannot!). Do you have a similar experience?
Understanding something, passing tests, etc.; the completion of these actions is beyond our control. This type of verbs does not have the potential form either. They include, but are not limited to: 分かる[wakaru](to understand), 要る[iru](to need), and 受かる[ukaru](to pass).
✅ 英語が分かります。
Eigo ga wakarimasu.
❌ 英語が分かれます。
Eigo ga wakaremasu.
Potential forms cannot be combined with other grammar patterns that require the subject’s volition such as tai form and volitional form. Action verbs that changed to potential forms do not show the volition any more since the forms focus more on the “possibility.”
We don't always translate "can" using a potential form
Although we often use Japanese potential forms to translate English sentences that use the verb "can," the two aren't exactly equivalent. There are three main cases where you use "can" in English, but we don't use the potential form in Japanese.
Permission or request
In English, you use "can" to ask for permission or make a request, as in "Can I ask a question?". In Japanese, you will not use the potential form to do this.
✅ お腹が痛いから、トイレに行ってもいいですか。
Onakaga itai kara, toire ni ittemo iidesu ka.
Can I go to the restroom because I have a stomachache?
❓ お腹が痛いから、トイレに行けますか。
Onakaga itai kara, toire ni ikemasuka.
lit. Am I capable of going to the restroom because I have a stomachache?
Although the Japanese potential form is not officially used to give or forbid permission, it can imply a similar meaning.
図書館の中では、食べ物を食べられません。
Toshokan no naka de wa, tabemono o taberaremasen.
In the library, you cannot eat food.
→ implies that you are not allowed to eat food
Conditional
The English verb "can" sometimes has the nuance of a conditional, as in "I’m not sure how I can explain this." In Japanese, we have to use other grammar patterns for the conditional, such as たら[tara](when/if) and 〜ば[ba](if).
✅ どうやって説明したらいいか分かりません。
Dōyatte setsumei shitara ii ka wakarimasen.
I’m not sure how I can explain (this).
❓ どうやって説明できるか分かりません。
Dōyatte setsumei dekiru ka wakarimasen.
lit. I’m not sure how I am capable of explaining (this).
Speaker’s opinion.
In English, we often say that something "can" be a certain way as a way to express an attitude or opinion about that thing. The Japanese potential form is not used this way because there are a lot of other expressions available, such as 〜かもしれない[kamoshirenai](might) and 〜にちがいない[ni chigainai](must be).
おいしいレストランを見つけるのは難しいかもしれません。
Oishii resutoran o mitsukeru no wa muzukasii kamo siremasen.
Finding a good restaurant can be difficult.
あの人は田中さんじゃないはずです。たしか田中さんは背が高かったですよ。
Ano hito wa tanaka san janai hazu desu. Tashika tanaka san wa se ga takakatta desu yo.
That person cannot be Mr. Tanaka. If I remember correctly, Mr. Tanaka was tall.
To sum up
In this post, we covered how to use short and long potential forms and when to use and when not to use potential forms. We use the Japanese potential form to express...
One's capability to complete an action.
That it's possible that someone might complete an action, based on their ability or situation.
An action that can be done to something. In English, this is usually expressed with the "-able" and "-ible" suffixes.
Have a look at the differences between "can" and the Japanese potential form:
One’s capability/possibility | | |
Action that can be done
to something | | |
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Ready to practice what you've learned? Check out our Japanese potential form exercises to test your skills! Happy learning!
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