〜れる / 〜られる (potential form): This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

Dictionary

〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

N4 KMT3NeutralStandardVerb ConstructionMixedAbility And PotentialGrammar

Verb [potential form]Primary

This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

私は日本語が少し話せる。

I can speak a little Japanese.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingAbilityCore Concepts Daily Life

納豆が食べられないので、他のものを注文します。

Since I can't eat natto, I will order something else.

PoliteNon PastNegativeMid SentenceAbilityFood & Dining Culture & Traditions

やっと富士山に登れた時の感動は忘れられない。

I'll never forget the moving feeling I had when I was finally able to climb Mt. Fuji.

NeutralPastAffirmativePrenominalAbilityTravel & Transportation Nature & Environment Emotions & Psychology

昨日の会議では、時間の制約で全ての議題について議論できませんでした。

In yesterday's meeting, we were not able to discuss all the agenda items due to time constraints.

FormalPastNegativeSentence EndingAbilityWork & Career Business & Finance

明日、もっと早く起きれる？

Can you wake up earlier tomorrow?

CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingAbilityDaily Life Family & Relationships

This grammar shows what you can do. It is like saying "can" in English. You change the verb to show this meaning.

The potential form is used more often when speaking. It means the same as "~koto ga dekiru." But "~koto ga dekiru" sounds a bit more formal. It can also be used with nouns, like "driving is possible."

Watch out: Some people drop the "ra" sound. For example, they say "tabereru" instead of "taberareru." This is common when speaking. But it is not correct Japanese. Do not do this in formal writing or speech.

Use this when you want to say you can do something. It shows you have the ability. It is like saying "can" in English.

Often confused with(1)

受身形 (られる)

This grammar shows that someone or something receives an action. It means something is done to them. It can also show when something bad happens to someone.

Contrasts with(2)

〜わけにはいかない

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

〜ようがない

You cannot do something. There is no way to do it. You have no method or chance.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜ことができる

This phrase means you can do something. It shows you have the skill or that something is possible.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

Dictionary

〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

N4 KMT3NeutralStandardVerb ConstructionMixedAbility And PotentialGrammar

Verb [potential form]Primary

This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

私は日本語が少し話せる。

I can speak a little Japanese.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingAbilityCore Concepts Daily Life

納豆が食べられないので、他のものを注文します。

Since I can't eat natto, I will order something else.

PoliteNon PastNegativeMid SentenceAbilityFood & Dining Culture & Traditions

やっと富士山に登れた時の感動は忘れられない。

I'll never forget the moving feeling I had when I was finally able to climb Mt. Fuji.

NeutralPastAffirmativePrenominalAbilityTravel & Transportation Nature & Environment Emotions & Psychology

昨日の会議では、時間の制約で全ての議題について議論できませんでした。

In yesterday's meeting, we were not able to discuss all the agenda items due to time constraints.

FormalPastNegativeSentence EndingAbilityWork & Career Business & Finance

明日、もっと早く起きれる？

Can you wake up earlier tomorrow?

CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingAbilityDaily Life Family & Relationships

This grammar shows what you can do. It is like saying "can" in English. You change the verb to show this meaning.

Use this when you want to say you can do something. It shows you have the ability. It is like saying "can" in English.

Often confused with(1)

受身形 (られる)

This grammar shows that someone or something receives an action. It means something is done to them. It can also show when something bad happens to someone.

Contrasts with(2)

〜わけにはいかない

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

〜ようがない

You cannot do something. There is no way to do it. You have no method or chance.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜ことができる

This phrase means you can do something. It shows you have the skill or that something is possible.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Discourse Function1

Compare with4

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(2)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites1

Track your mastery

〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Discourse Function1

Compare with4

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(2)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites1

Track your mastery