GRAMMAR DETAIL
可能形
Uses the potential form of a verb to express the subject's ability or the possibility allowed by the circumstances.
Examples
この窓から遠くの島が見られます。
You can see a distant island from this window.
Words used
雪がやめば、夕方の便で出発できます。
If the snow stops, we can depart on the evening flight.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: The potential form of a verb expresses ability or what circumstances allow.
- Basic usage: In
雪がやめば、夕方の便で出発できます。, the snow stopping is the condition that makes departure possible.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Conjugation by verb type
- The form depends on the verb type, as in
書く→書けるand食べる→食べられる. Distinguish the irregular formsする→できるand来る→来られるas well.
- The form depends on the verb type, as in
- Potential and passive
見られるhas the same form for potential and passive meanings.島が見られるexpresses being able to see an island, whereas人に見られるexpresses being seen by someone.