Mastering the potential form in Japanese unlocks the ability to express what you or someone else is capable of doing. Let’s dive into how to conjugate and use this form naturally in various situations.

What Is the Potential Form?

The potential form of a verb in Japanese is used to indicate the ability to perform an action. For instance, "I can drink" or "She can sing" can be expressed naturally using this form.

The way to form it depends on the verb type—Group 1 (U-verbs), Group 2 (Ru-verbs), and Irregular verbs.

How to Conjugate Verbs into the Potential Form

Group 1 (U-verbs)

For U-verbs, change the final "u" sound of the verb into the corresponding "e" sound and add る (ru).

• Example:
  飲む (nomu, "to drink") → 飲める (nomeru, "can drink").

  • Sentence: 私はお酒が飲めます (Watashi wa osake ga nomemasu, "I can drink alcohol").

Group 2 (Ru-verbs)

For Ru-verbs, remove the final る (ru) and replace it with られる (rareru).

• Example:
  起きる (okiru, "to wake up") → 起きられる (okirareru, "can wake up").

  • Sentence: 毎朝早く起きられるようになりました (Maiasa hayaku okirareru you ni narimashita, "I’ve become able to wake up early every morning").

Irregular Verbs

The two irregular verbs—する (suru) and 来る (kuru)—have unique potential forms.

• する (to do) → できる (dekiru, "can do").

  • Sentence: この仕事は私にできる (Kono shigoto wa watashi ni dekiru, "I can do this job").

• 来る (to come) → 来られる (korareru, "can come").

  • Sentence: 友達がパーティーに来られない (Tomodachi ga paatii ni korarenai, "My friend can’t come to the party").

Using Potential Form in Sentences

When using the potential form, the object particle を (wo) is often replaced with が (ga). This shift emphasizes the subject’s ability to perform the action.

• Example:
  アイスクリームが食べられる (Aisukuriimu ga taberareru, "I can eat ice cream").

Alternative Way: ことができる

Another way to express ability is by using the structure ことができる (koto ga dekiru), which is often more formal or written.

• Example:
  ピアノを弾くことができる (Piano o hiku koto ga dekiru, "I can play the piano").

For comparison:

• ピアノが弾ける (Piano ga hikeru) feels more conversational.

• ピアノを弾くことができる feels more formal.

Examples with Less Common Verbs

To keep your Japanese fresh and exciting, let’s try the potential form with some less common verbs.

1. 踊る (odoru, "to dance") → 踊れる (odoreru, "can dance").

   • 彼はダンス教室で踊れるようになりました (Kare wa dansu kyoushitsu de odoreru you ni narimashita, "He has learned to dance in the dance class").

2. 飛ぶ (tobu, "to fly") → 飛べる (toberu, "can fly").

   • 鳥が空高く飛べるのを見るのが好きです (Tori ga sora takaku toberu no o miru no ga suki desu, "I love watching birds fly high in the sky").

3. 泳ぐ (oyogu, "to swim") → 泳げる (oyogeru, "can swim").

   • 子供は川で泳げるようになりました (Kodomo wa kawa de oyogeru you ni narimashita, "The child has learned to swim in the river").

Casual Speech: The "Ra" Dropping Phenomenon

In casual conversations, the ら (ra) in Group 2 verbs is sometimes omitted. For example:

• 見られる (mirareru, "can see") → 見れる (mireru).

While this is common in informal settings, it’s considered non-standard, so stick to the full form in formal writing or speech.

Why Master the Potential Form?

Learning the potential form gives you the power to talk about what you and others can or can’t do, opening up endless opportunities for conversation. Practice with different verbs and situations to make this form second nature.

Final Thoughts

The potential form is an essential part of Japanese grammar that makes your speech more expressive. Start practicing today with verbs like 飲む, 踊る, and 飛ぶ, and soon you’ll be confidently talking about all the amazing things you can do—in Japanese!