Explanation
Potential form = "can do". Godan: -u → -eru (のむ→のめる). Ichidan: drop る + られる (たべる→たべられる). Irregular: する→できる, くる→こられる.
Formation: Godan verbs: change the final u sound to e and add る (書く becomes 書ける, 話す becomes 話せる). Ichidan verbs: add られる to the stem (食べる becomes 食べられる, often shortened to 食べれる in casual speech). Irregular: する becomes できる and 来る becomes 来られる.
Usage & nuance: The potential form expresses ability or possibility, meaning can or be able to. The object commonly switches from を to が, as in 日本語が話せる. It describes skills and circumstances rather than permission; for permission, use 〜てもいい.
Compare: Potential vs 〜ことができる. Both mean can, but 〜ことができる is longer, more formal, and follows the dictionary form (話すことができる), while the potential form is shorter and more conversational (話せる).
हिंदी में समझें
संभाव्य रूप = "कर सकना"। गोदान: -u → -eru (のむ→のめる)। ईचिदान: る हटाकर + られる। अपवाद: する→できる, くる→こられる।
Examples
- にほんごがはなせます。 (Nihongo ga hanasemasu.)
हिंदी: जापानी बोल सकता हूँ।
English: I can speak Japanese. - たべられません。 (Taberaremasen.)
हिंदी: खा नहीं सकता।
English: I cannot eat. - ここでおさけをのめますか。 (Koko de osake o nomemasu ka?)
हिंदी: क्या यहाँ शराब पी सकते हैं?
English: Can you drink alcohol here? - 私は日本語が話せます。 (Watashi wa nihongo ga hanasemasu.)
हिंदी: मैं जापानी बोल सकता हूँ।
English: I can speak Japanese. - ここで写真が撮れますか。 (Koko de shashin ga toremasu ka.)
हिंदी: यहाँ फ़ोटो ले सकते हैं?
English: Can we take pictures here?
Common mistakes
- たべれる (slightly casual) → たべられる (standard) — ら抜き言葉 is casual; use full form formally.
Practice this topic
Test your understanding with 3 questions on Potential Form — Can do.