JLPT N4 grammar
Potential form — Meaning & Examples
"Can do." Group 1: え-row + る (のめる). Group 2: られる (たべられる). する → できる. Uses が for objects instead of を.
Potential Form — "Can Do"
The potential form expresses ability — "can do" something.
Group 1: change う-row to え-row + る
のむ → のめる (can drink)
いく → いける (can go)
かく → かける (can write)
はなす → はなせる (can speak)
Group 2: drop る, add られる (same as passive!)
たべる → たべられる (can eat)
みる → みられる (can see)
Irregular:
する → できる (can do)
くる → こられる (can come)
Examples:
にほんごがはなせます。 — I can speak Japanese.
おすしがたべられますか？ — Can you eat sushi?
あしたいけますか？ — Can you go tomorrow?
Note: Potential uses が instead of を for the object:
すしをたべる (eat sushi) → すしがたべられる (can eat sushi)
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on Potential form. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Potential form uses which particle for objects?
- を (o)
- に (ni)
- が (ga)
- で (de)
Show answer
Answer: が (ga)
Potential switches を to が: すしをたべる → すしがたべられる. This が-marking is standard with potential.
2. する → potential form?
- される (sareru)
- できる (dekiru)
- させる (saseru)
- しよう (shiyou)
Show answer
Answer: できる (dekiru)
Irregular: する → できる (can do). This is a completely different word, not a conjugation pattern.
Practise Potential form in the free app
This point is part of the “Potential & Volitional Forms” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Potential & Volitional Forms
Frequently asked questions
What does Potential form mean?
"Can do." Group 1: え-row + る (のめる). Group 2: られる (たべられる). する → できる. Uses が for objects instead of を.
Is Potential form on the JLPT N4 test?
Potential form is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Potential & Volitional Forms”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise Potential form?
Open the “Potential & Volitional Forms” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.