[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-local-japanese-potential-form":3,"$fHZsWYl_LcdVZ5GxKwtR-ZqvCZbbUdo2_Fi6R_GQKiQM":4,"blog-article-cms-japanese-potential-form":6,"article-hreflang-japanese-potential-form":1015,"blog-article-related-japanese-potential-form":1016},null,{"approximate_member_count":5},20683,{"id":7,"documentId":8,"title":9,"description":10,"timestampUnix":11,"slug":12,"h1":13,"image":14,"tags":20,"lang":3,"body":25,"createdAt":1009,"updatedAt":1010,"publishedAt":1011,"category":1012,"featured":1013,"timestamp":1014,"locale":-1,"_dir":1012},1945,"u4mrni3hfnme035ampo4dzvh","Japanese Potential Form: Express Ability in Japanese","Use the Japanese potential form to express \"can\" and \"able to.\" This post covers conjugation rules for all verb types, particle usage, and common mistakes.","1768762860000","japanese-potential-form","Japanese Potential Form: Basic Japanese Grammar on Verb Potential Form - られる",{"alt":15,"src":16,"width":17,"height":18,"previewOnly":19},"Expressing ability with potential form - Banner","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002FScreenshot_2026_01_19_061952_031cb735e1\u002FScreenshot_2026_01_19_061952_031cb735e1.png",1000,413,false,[21,22,23,24],"fundamentals","vocabulary","phrases","grammar",{"data":26,"body":29,"toc":988},{"title":27,"description":28},"","When you're learning Japanese, one of the first things you want to express is what you can and can't do, like \"I can speak Japanese.\" The potential form transforms regular verbs into their \"able to\" versions. Instead of saying taberu () meaning \"to eat,\" you'd say taberareru () meaning \"can eat.\" Pretty straightforward concept. Read through this post to learn all the breakdowns!",{"type":30,"children":31},"root",[32,65,69,73,80,97,104,109,118,123,213,219,224,232,301,315,321,326,351,368,371,377,382,390,448,453,507,510,516,521,560,565,570,573,579,584,590,595,646,652,657,692,697,703,708,759,762,768,773,807,812,817,820,826,866,869,875,898,905,911,914,920,939,942,954,957,963,968,983],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":35,"children":36},"element","p",{},[37,40,49,51,57,59,63],{"type":38,"value":39},"text","When you're ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":42,"children":46},"a",{"href":43,"rel":44},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Flearn-japanese",[45],"nofollow",[47],{"type":38,"value":48},"learning Japanese",{"type":38,"value":50},", one of the first things you want to express is what you can and can't do, like \"I can speak Japanese.\" The potential form transforms regular verbs into their \"able to\" versions. Instead of saying taberu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":53,"children":56},"typo",{"lang":54,"syntax":55},"ja","食[た;k2]べる",[],{"type":38,"value":58},") meaning \"to eat,\" you'd say taberareru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":60,"children":62},{"lang":54,"syntax":61},"食[た,たべる;k2]べられる",[],{"type":38,"value":64},") meaning \"can eat.\" Pretty straightforward concept. Read through this post to learn all the breakdowns!",{"type":33,"tag":66,"props":67,"children":68},"toc",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":71,"children":72},"hr",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":75,"children":77},"h2",{"id":76},"how-to-form-the-potential-in-japanese",[78],{"type":38,"value":79},"How to form the potential in Japanese",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":81,"children":82},{},[83,85,89,91,95],{"type":38,"value":84},"The conjugation rules depend on what type of verb you're working with. Japanese verbs fall into three categories: godan verbs (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":86,"children":88},{"lang":54,"syntax":87},"五[ご;o] 段[だん;a] 動詞[どうし;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":90},"), ichidan verbs (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":92,"children":94},{"lang":54,"syntax":93},"一段[いちだん;h] 動詞[どうし;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":96},"), and irregular verbs. Each group follows different rules.",{"type":33,"tag":98,"props":99,"children":101},"h3",{"id":100},"conjugating-godan-verbs-to-japanese-potential-form",[102],{"type":38,"value":103},"Conjugating godan verbs to Japanese potential form",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":105,"children":106},{},[107],{"type":38,"value":108},"Godan verbs are the ones that end in various う-row sounds: う, く, ぐ, す, つ, ぬ, ぶ, む, る.",{"type":33,"tag":110,"props":111,"children":112},"blockquote",{},[113],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":114,"children":115},{},[116],{"type":38,"value":117},"To make the potential form, you change the final syllable from the う-row to the え-row, then add る.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":119,"children":120},{},[121],{"type":38,"value":122},"Let me show you with some examples:",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":125,"children":126},"ul",{},[127,145,162,179,196],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":129,"children":130},"li",{},[131,133,137,139,143],{"type":38,"value":132},"kaku (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":134,"children":136},{"lang":54,"syntax":135},"書[か;k1]く",[],{"type":38,"value":138},") - to write becomes kakeru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":140,"children":142},{"lang":54,"syntax":141},"書[か;k2]ける",[],{"type":38,"value":144},") - can write",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":146,"children":147},{},[148,150,154,156,160],{"type":38,"value":149},"yomu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":151,"children":153},{"lang":54,"syntax":152},"読[よ;k1]む",[],{"type":38,"value":155},") - to read becomes yomeru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":157,"children":159},{"lang":54,"syntax":158},"読[よ;k2]める",[],{"type":38,"value":161},") - can read",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":163,"children":164},{},[165,167,171,173,177],{"type":38,"value":166},"hanasu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":168,"children":170},{"lang":54,"syntax":169},"話[はな;k2]す",[],{"type":38,"value":172},") - to speak becomes hanaseru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":174,"children":176},{"lang":54,"syntax":175},"話[はな;k3]せる",[],{"type":38,"value":178},") - can speak",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":180,"children":181},{},[182,184,188,190,194],{"type":38,"value":183},"kiku (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":185,"children":187},{"lang":54,"syntax":186},"聞[き;h]く",[],{"type":38,"value":189},") - to listen\u002Fhear becomes kikeru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":191,"children":193},{"lang":54,"syntax":192},"聞[き]ける",[],{"type":38,"value":195},") - can listen\u002Fhear",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":197,"children":198},{},[199,201,205,207,211],{"type":38,"value":200},"oyogu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":202,"children":204},{"lang":54,"syntax":203},"泳[およ;k2]ぐ",[],{"type":38,"value":206},") - to swim becomes oyogeru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":208,"children":210},{"lang":54,"syntax":209},"泳[およ;k3]げる",[],{"type":38,"value":212},") - can swim",{"type":33,"tag":98,"props":214,"children":216},{"id":215},"conjugating-ichidan-verbs",[217],{"type":38,"value":218},"Conjugating ichidan verbs",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":220,"children":221},{},[222],{"type":38,"value":223},"Ichidan verbs are the ones that end in either eru or iru sounds. These are actually easier to conjugate into potential form.",{"type":33,"tag":110,"props":225,"children":226},{},[227],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":228,"children":229},{},[230],{"type":38,"value":231},"You just drop the final る and add られる.",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":233,"children":234},{},[235,250,267,284],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":236,"children":237},{},[238,240,243,245,248],{"type":38,"value":239},"taberu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":241,"children":242},{"lang":54,"syntax":55},[],{"type":38,"value":244},") - to eat becomes taberareru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":246,"children":247},{"lang":54,"syntax":61},[],{"type":38,"value":249},") - can eat",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":251,"children":252},{},[253,255,259,261,265],{"type":38,"value":254},"miru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":256,"children":258},{"lang":54,"syntax":257},"見[み;k1]る",[],{"type":38,"value":260},") - to see\u002Fwatch becomes mirareru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":262,"children":264},{"lang":54,"syntax":263},"見[み,みる;k1]られる",[],{"type":38,"value":266},") - can see\u002Fwatch",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":268,"children":269},{},[270,272,276,278,282],{"type":38,"value":271},"neru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":273,"children":275},{"lang":54,"syntax":274},"寝[ね;h]る",[],{"type":38,"value":277},") - to sleep becomes nerareru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":279,"children":281},{"lang":54,"syntax":280},"寝[ね,ねる;h]られる",[],{"type":38,"value":283},") - can sleep",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":285,"children":286},{},[287,289,293,295,299],{"type":38,"value":288},"oshieru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":290,"children":292},{"lang":54,"syntax":291},"教[おし;h]える",[],{"type":38,"value":294},") - to teach becomes oshierareru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":296,"children":298},{"lang":54,"syntax":297},"教[おし,おしえる;h]えられる",[],{"type":38,"value":300},") - can teach",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":302,"children":303},{},[304,306,313],{"type":38,"value":305},"This られる ending is super important because it shows up in other grammar patterns too, which sometimes confuses learners. The ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":307,"children":310},{"href":308,"rel":309},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-passive-form-conjugation",[45],[311],{"type":38,"value":312},"passive form",{"type":38,"value":314}," uses the same られる ending for ichidan verbs, so context becomes crucial for understanding which meaning is intended.",{"type":33,"tag":98,"props":316,"children":318},{"id":317},"irregular-verbs",[319],{"type":38,"value":320},"Irregular verbs",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":322,"children":323},{},[324],{"type":38,"value":325},"There are only two irregular verbs in Japanese, and they both have special potential forms you need to memorize.",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":327,"children":328},{},[329,334],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":330,"children":331},{},[332],{"type":38,"value":333},"suru (する) - to do becomes dekiru (できる) - can do",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":335,"children":336},{},[337,339,343,345,349],{"type":38,"value":338},"kuru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":340,"children":342},{"lang":54,"syntax":341},"来[く;k1]る",[],{"type":38,"value":344},") - to come becomes korareru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":346,"children":348},{"lang":54,"syntax":347},"来[こ,くる;k1]られる",[],{"type":38,"value":350},") - can come",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":352,"children":353},{},[354,356,360,362,366],{"type":38,"value":355},"The suru to dekiru transformation is the one you'll use most often. Dekiru is incredibly common in Japanese conversation because it can express general ability or possibility. When you attach it to noun phrases, you get expressions like \"nihongo ga dekiru\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":357,"children":359},{"lang":54,"syntax":358},"日本語[にほんご;h] が できる[;k2]",[],{"type":38,"value":361},") meaning \"can speak Japanese\" or \"ryouri ga dekiru\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":363,"children":365},{"lang":54,"syntax":364},"料理[りょうり;a] が できる[;k2]",[],{"type":38,"value":367},") meaning \"can cook.\"",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":369,"children":370},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":372,"children":374},{"id":373},"negative-potential-form",[375],{"type":38,"value":376},"Negative potential form",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":378,"children":379},{},[380],{"type":38,"value":381},"To say you can't do something, you conjugate the potential form into its negative version. Since potential verbs are all ichidan verbs (They all end in eru), they follow ichidan conjugation rules for the negative.",{"type":33,"tag":110,"props":383,"children":384},{},[385],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":386,"children":387},{},[388],{"type":38,"value":389},"Drop the final る and add ない.",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":391,"children":392},{},[393,404,415,426,437],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":394,"children":395},{},[396,398,402],{"type":38,"value":397},"kakenai (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":399,"children":401},{"lang":54,"syntax":400},"書[か,かける;k2]けない",[],{"type":38,"value":403},") - can't write",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":405,"children":406},{},[407,409,413],{"type":38,"value":408},"yomenai (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":410,"children":412},{"lang":54,"syntax":411},"読[よ,よめる;k2]めない",[],{"type":38,"value":414},") - can't read",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":416,"children":417},{},[418,420,424],{"type":38,"value":419},"taberarenai (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":421,"children":423},{"lang":54,"syntax":422},"食[た,たべる;k2]べられない",[],{"type":38,"value":425},") - can't eat",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":427,"children":428},{},[429,431,435],{"type":38,"value":430},"mirarenai (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":432,"children":434},{"lang":54,"syntax":433},"見[み,みる;k1]られない",[],{"type":38,"value":436},") - can't see",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":438,"children":439},{},[440,442,446],{"type":38,"value":441},"dekinai (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":443,"children":445},{"lang":54,"syntax":444},"でき[,できる;k2]ない",[],{"type":38,"value":447},") - can't do",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":449,"children":450},{},[451],{"type":38,"value":452},"You'll use the negative potential form all the time when explaining limitations or making excuses (in a totally normal way, not a bad way).",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":454,"children":455},{},[456,475,491],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":457,"children":458},{},[459,463,465,469],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":460,"children":462},{"lang":54,"syntax":461},"すみません[;n4]{、}明日[あした;h] は 行[い,ゆける]けない",[],{"type":38,"value":464},"\n。\n",{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":467,"children":468},"br",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":471,"children":472},"em",{},[473],{"type":38,"value":474},"Sorry, I can't go tomorrow.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":476,"children":477},{},[478,482,483,486],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":479,"children":481},{"lang":54,"syntax":480},"漢字[かんじ;h] が 読[よ,よめる;k2]めない",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":484,"children":485},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":487,"children":488},{},[489],{"type":38,"value":490},"I can't read kanji.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":492,"children":493},{},[494,498,499,502],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":495,"children":497},{"lang":54,"syntax":496},"納豆[なっとう;n3] が 食[た,たべる;k2]べられない",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":500,"children":501},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":503,"children":504},{},[505],{"type":38,"value":506},"I can't eat natto.",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":508,"children":509},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":511,"children":513},{"id":512},"particle-usage-が-vs-を",[514],{"type":38,"value":515},"Particle usage: が vs を",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":517,"children":518},{},[519],{"type":38,"value":520},"This is where things get interesting. In regular Japanese sentences, you typically mark the direct object with the particle wo (を). But when you use the potential form, the particle often changes to ga (が).",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":522,"children":523},{},[524,542],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":525,"children":526},{},[527,531,532,535,540],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":528,"children":530},{"lang":54,"syntax":529},"私[わたし;h] は 寿司[すし;o,a] を 食[た;k2]べる",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":533,"children":534},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":536,"children":537},{},[538],{"type":38,"value":539},"I eat sushi.",{"type":38,"value":541},"\n (With regular verbs)\n",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":543,"children":544},{},[545,549,550,553,558],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":546,"children":548},{"lang":54,"syntax":547},"私[わたし;h] は 寿司[すし;o,a] が 食[た,たべる;k2]べられる",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":551,"children":552},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":554,"children":555},{},[556],{"type":38,"value":557},"I can eat sushi.",{"type":38,"value":559},"\n (With potential form)\n",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":561,"children":562},{},[563],{"type":38,"value":564},"Notice how wo changed to ga? This happens because the potential form technically makes the object into the subject of the ability. You're saying \"sushi is edible (to me)\" rather than \"I eat sushi.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":566,"children":567},{},[568],{"type":38,"value":569},"That said, you'll still hear native speakers use wo with potential verbs in casual conversation. Both are grammatically acceptable in modern Japanese, though ga is considered more standard. When you're starting out, stick with ga for potential sentences. It'll sound more natural.",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":571,"children":572},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":574,"children":576},{"id":575},"three-main-functions-of-the-potential-form",[577],{"type":38,"value":578},"Three main functions of the potential form",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":580,"children":581},{},[582],{"type":38,"value":583},"The potential form does more than just express ability. It actually serves three distinct functions in Japanese grammar.",{"type":33,"tag":98,"props":585,"children":587},{"id":586},"expressing-ability",[588],{"type":38,"value":589},"Expressing ability",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":591,"children":592},{},[593],{"type":38,"value":594},"This is the most obvious use. You're talking about skills or capabilities you possess.",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":596,"children":597},{},[598,614,630],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":599,"children":600},{},[601,605,606,609],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":602,"children":604},{"lang":54,"syntax":603},"私[わたし;h] は ピアノ[;h] が 弾[はじ;k3]ける",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":607,"children":608},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":610,"children":611},{},[612],{"type":38,"value":613},"I can play piano.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":615,"children":616},{},[617,621,622,625],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":618,"children":620},{"lang":54,"syntax":619},"彼女[かのじょ;a] は フランス語[ふらんすご;h] が 話[はな;k3]せる",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":623,"children":624},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":626,"children":627},{},[628],{"type":38,"value":629},"She can speak French.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":631,"children":632},{},[633,637,638,641],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":634,"children":636},{"lang":54,"syntax":635},"彼[かれ;a] は 漢字[かんじ;h] が 書[か;k2]ける",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":639,"children":640},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":642,"children":643},{},[644],{"type":38,"value":645},"He can write kanji.",{"type":33,"tag":98,"props":647,"children":649},{"id":648},"describing-situations",[650],{"type":38,"value":651},"Describing situations",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":653,"children":654},{},[655],{"type":38,"value":656},"The potential form can indicate what's possible in a particular situation or circumstance.",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":658,"children":659},{},[660,676],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":661,"children":662},{},[663,667,668,671],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":664,"children":666},{"lang":54,"syntax":665},"ここ[;h] から[;a] 富士山[ふじさん;a] が 見[み;k2]える",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":669,"children":670},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":672,"children":673},{},[674],{"type":38,"value":675},"You can see Mt. Fuji from here.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":677,"children":678},{},[679,683,684,687],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":680,"children":682},{"lang":54,"syntax":681},"この レストラン[;a] で 寿司[すし;o,a] が 食[た,たべる;k2]べられる",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":685,"children":686},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":688,"children":689},{},[690],{"type":38,"value":691},"You can eat sushi at this restaurant.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":693,"children":694},{},[695],{"type":38,"value":696},"In these sentences, you're not necessarily talking about personal ability. You're describing what the situation allows.",{"type":33,"tag":98,"props":698,"children":700},{"id":699},"indicating-attributes",[701],{"type":38,"value":702},"Indicating attributes",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":704,"children":705},{},[706],{"type":38,"value":707},"Sometimes the potential form expresses an inherent quality or attribute of something.",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":709,"children":710},{},[711,727,743],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":712,"children":713},{},[714,718,719,722],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":715,"children":717},{"lang":54,"syntax":716},"この 水[みず;h] は 飲[の;k2]める",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":720,"children":721},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":723,"children":724},{},[725],{"type":38,"value":726},"This water is drinkable.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":728,"children":729},{},[730,734,735,738],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":731,"children":733},{"lang":54,"syntax":732},"この リンゴ[;h] は 食[た,たべる;k2]べられる",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":736,"children":737},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":739,"children":740},{},[741],{"type":38,"value":742},"This apple is edible.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":744,"children":745},{},[746,750,751,754],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":747,"children":749},{"lang":54,"syntax":748},"この 本[ほん;a] は 読[よ;k2]める",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":752,"children":753},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":755,"children":756},{},[757],{"type":38,"value":758},"This book is readable.",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":760,"children":761},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":763,"children":765},{"id":764},"potential-form-vs-ことができる",[766],{"type":38,"value":767},"Potential form vs ことができる",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":769,"children":770},{},[771],{"type":38,"value":772},"Japanese has another way to express ability: using the construction koto ga dekiru (ことができる). This pattern means the exact same thing as the potential form.",{"type":33,"tag":124,"props":774,"children":775},{},[776,792],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":777,"children":778},{},[779,783,784,787],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":780,"children":782},{"lang":54,"syntax":781},"日本語[にほんご;h] が 話[はな;k3]せる",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":785,"children":786},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":788,"children":789},{},[790],{"type":38,"value":791},"I can speak Japanese.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":793,"children":794},{},[795,799,800,803],{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":796,"children":798},{"lang":54,"syntax":797},"日本語[にほんご;h] を 話[はな;k2]す こと[;o] が できる[;k2]",[],{"type":38,"value":464},{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":801,"children":802},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":804,"children":805},{},[806],{"type":38,"value":791},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":808,"children":809},{},[810],{"type":38,"value":811},"Both sentences mean exactly the same thing. The potential form is shorter and more conversational. The koto ga dekiru pattern sounds slightly more formal or deliberate.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":813,"children":814},{},[815],{"type":38,"value":816},"In casual conversation, you'll hear the potential form way more often. It's quicker and flows better. But in writing or formal situations, koto ga dekiru shows up more frequently. Some learners actually find koto ga dekiru easier at first because you don't need to conjugate the verb itself, you just attach the pattern to the dictionary form.",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":818,"children":819},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":821,"children":823},{"id":822},"common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-using-verb-potential-form",[824],{"type":38,"value":825},"Common mistakes to avoid when using verb potential form",{"type":33,"tag":827,"props":828,"children":829},"ol",{},[830,846,851],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":831,"children":832},{},[833,835,839,841,844],{"type":38,"value":834},"One mistake learners make is overusing the potential form when the regular verb would sound more natural. In English, we say \"can you see it?\" pretty casually, but in Japanese, asking \"mieru?\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":836,"children":838},{"lang":54,"syntax":837},"見[み;k2]える",[],{"type":38,"value":840},"?) about whether someone can physically see something is natural, while asking \"mirareru?\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":842,"children":843},{"lang":54,"syntax":263},[],{"type":38,"value":845},"?) sounds odd because you're asking about their ability to see in general.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":847,"children":848},{},[849],{"type":38,"value":850},"Another common error is mixing up the particles. Remember that ga works better than wo with potential verbs, even though you might hear wo in casual speech.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":852,"children":853},{},[854,856,859,861,864],{"type":38,"value":855},"Some learners also forget that potential verbs conjugate as ichidan verbs for tense and politeness, regardless of what type the original verb was. Even though kaku (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":857,"children":858},{"lang":54,"syntax":135},[],{"type":38,"value":860},") is godan, kakeru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":862,"children":863},{"lang":54,"syntax":141},[],{"type":38,"value":865},") follows ichidan conjugation rules.",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":867,"children":868},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":870,"children":872},{"id":871},"learning-tips-on-potential-form-in-the-japanese-language",[873],{"type":38,"value":874},"Learning tips on potential form in the Japanese language",{"type":33,"tag":827,"props":876,"children":877},{},[878,883,888,893],{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":879,"children":880},{},[881],{"type":38,"value":882},"The conjugation patterns become second nature with practice. You'll start forming potential verbs automatically without thinking through the rules.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":884,"children":885},{},[886],{"type":38,"value":887},"Listen for it in Japanese media and you'll notice native speakers using ga with potential verbs all the time.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":889,"children":890},{},[891],{"type":38,"value":892},"Understanding the three functions (Ability, situation, attribute) helps you recognize the potential form in different contexts. Sometimes it's about what you can do, sometimes it's about what's possible in a situation, and sometimes it's about the inherent qualities of something.",{"type":33,"tag":128,"props":894,"children":895},{},[896],{"type":38,"value":897},"If you want to practice recognizing potential forms in real Japanese content, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up conjugated verbs instantly while watching shows or reading articles. Makes learning grammar patterns way more practical when you see them used naturally. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.",{"type":33,"tag":899,"props":900,"children":904},"img",{"src":901,"width":902,"height":17,"alt":903},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002F3_screens_purple_5_3fb4aae664\u002F3_screens_purple_5_3fb4aae664.png",1620,"Learn often used words with Migaku",[],{"type":33,"tag":906,"props":907,"children":910},"prose-button",{"href":908,"text":909},"\u002Flearn-japanese","Learn Japanese with Migaku",[],{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":912,"children":913},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":915,"children":917},{"id":916},"faqs",[918],{"type":38,"value":919},"FAQs",{"type":33,"tag":921,"props":922,"children":924},"accordion",{"heading":923},"What is the potential form of iku?",[925,927,931,933,937],{"type":38,"value":926},"\nIku (\n",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":928,"children":930},{"lang":54,"syntax":929},"行[い;h]く",[],{"type":38,"value":932},"\n) meaning \"to go\" is a godan verb ending in ku. Following the conjugation rule, ku becomes keru. So the potential form is ikeru (\n",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":934,"children":936},{"lang":54,"syntax":935},"行[い;h]ける",[],{"type":38,"value":938},"\n) meaning \"can go.\"\n",{"type":33,"tag":466,"props":940,"children":941},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":921,"props":943,"children":945},{"heading":944},"How to tell the difference between れる and られる?",[946,948,952],{"type":38,"value":947},"\nThe endings reru (れる) and rareru (られる) cause confusion because they show up in multiple grammar patterns. Rareru appears in both the potential form and the passive form for ichidan verbs. Reru appears in the passive form for godan verbs. Mirareta (\n",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":949,"children":951},{"lang":54,"syntax":950},"見[み,みる;k1]られた",[],{"type":38,"value":953},"\n) could mean \"was able to see\" (Potential, past tense) or \"was seen\" (Passive, past tense).\n",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":955,"children":956},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":958,"children":960},{"id":959},"now-you-can-tell-people-you-can-speak-japanese",[961],{"type":38,"value":962},"Now you can tell people you can speak Japanese",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":964,"children":965},{},[966],{"type":38,"value":967},"Mastering the potential form opens up a huge range of expression in Japanese. You'll use it when talking about your language learning progress (\"I can read katakana now!\"), when making plans with friends (\"Can you come to karaoke?\"), when describing places (\"You can see cherry blossoms from this park\"), and when explaining what you're capable of doing. Moreover, there are more sentences you can understand when consuming media as well.",{"type":33,"tag":110,"props":969,"children":970},{},[971],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":972,"children":973},{},[974,976,981],{"type":38,"value":975},"If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. ",{"type":33,"tag":470,"props":977,"children":978},{},[979],{"type":38,"value":980},"Period",{"type":38,"value":982},".",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":984,"children":985},{},[986],{"type":38,"value":987},"Try saying \"I can speak Japanese\" today!",{"title":27,"searchDepth":989,"depth":989,"links":990},2,[991,997,998,999,1004,1005,1006,1007,1008],{"id":76,"depth":989,"text":79,"children":992},[993,995,996],{"id":100,"depth":994,"text":103},3,{"id":215,"depth":994,"text":218},{"id":317,"depth":994,"text":320},{"id":373,"depth":989,"text":376},{"id":512,"depth":989,"text":515},{"id":575,"depth":989,"text":578,"children":1000},[1001,1002,1003],{"id":586,"depth":994,"text":589},{"id":648,"depth":994,"text":651},{"id":699,"depth":994,"text":702},{"id":764,"depth":989,"text":767},{"id":822,"depth":989,"text":825},{"id":871,"depth":989,"text":874},{"id":916,"depth":989,"text":919},{"id":959,"depth":989,"text":962},"2026-01-18T19:01:21.343Z","2026-01-19T07:00:58.950Z","2026-01-19T07:00:58.986Z","japanese",0,"January 18, 2026",[],[1017,1031,1042],{"id":1018,"documentId":1019,"slug":1020,"category":1012,"lang":3,"title":1021,"description":1022,"image":1023,"tags":1026,"timestampUnix":1030,"featured":19},7918,"b1yspu87g43a1sawuj13utjw","learning-japanese-in-2026-what-actually-works","Learning Japanese in 2026: What Actually Works","A concrete 2026 guide to learning Japanese: writing systems, grammar, immersion, SRS, and how new visa rules raise the stakes for JLPT N2.",{"alt":1021,"src":1024,"width":17,"height":1025,"previewOnly":19},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_what_actually_works_2960eb86da\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_what_actually_works_2960eb86da.jpg",800,[1027,1028,1029],"resources","discussion","deepdive","1777747440000",{"id":1032,"documentId":1033,"slug":1034,"category":1012,"lang":3,"title":1035,"description":1036,"image":1037,"tags":1040,"timestampUnix":1041,"featured":19},7905,"fsbgdessf9ri72q7o8wm0dyk","how-to-learn-japanese-in-2026-a-realistic-routine","How to Learn Japanese in 2026: A Realistic Routine","A concrete 2026 routine for learning Japanese: tools, content, milestones, and a 12-month plan aimed at reading novels, watching unsubbed drama, or passing JLPT N2.",{"alt":1035,"src":1038,"width":17,"height":1039,"previewOnly":19},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fhow_to_learn_japanese_in_2026_a_realistic_routine_c0e887fd87\u002Fhow_to_learn_japanese_in_2026_a_realistic_routine_c0e887fd87.jpg",1200,[1027,1028,1029],"1777679340000",{"id":1043,"documentId":1044,"slug":1045,"category":1012,"lang":3,"title":1046,"description":1047,"image":1048,"tags":1050,"timestampUnix":1051,"featured":19},7917,"eyan8j4f7d472o7cmv9n5vbg","learning-japanese-in-2026-a-practitioners-playbook","Learning Japanese in 2026: A Practitioner's Playbook","How to actually learn Japanese in 2026: immersion-first routines, the grammar that matters, and what recent policy shifts mean for learners.",{"alt":1046,"src":1049,"width":17,"height":1039,"previewOnly":19},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_a_practitioners_playbook_dbf97e0ed7\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_a_practitioners_playbook_dbf97e0ed7.jpg",[1027,1029],"1777672260000"]