Japanese Potential Form: Can / Be Able To
The Japanese potential form expresses ability or possibility — the equivalent of "can" or "be able to" in English. It is formed differently for each verb group.
Potential form conjugation
Group 1: change the final う-sound to え-row + る. Group 2: replace る with られる (or colloquially ら-dropped form: れる). Group 3: できる (can do), こられる (can come).
Common mistakes
Using を with potential form
RightUse が with potential verbs in careful speech
The object of a potential verb is often marked with が (not を) because the subject's ability is the focus. を is used colloquially but が is standard in formal writing.
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Do I use が or を with Japanese potential verbs?
Traditionally, potential verbs take が for their object: 日本語が話せる (can speak Japanese). In casual speech, を is increasingly used. For JLPT writing sections and formal contexts, use が.