I1 - Lesson 6
In this lesson, we'll be learning how transform and use potential-verbs.
This is the same as using verb + 事ができます, which translate to being able to do something. We have already learned it in Lesson 8 of Elementary 2.
How to make potential-verbs
Group 1 verbs
You can change group 1 verbs into its potential form by turning the i of its ます form to e.
書きます -> 書けます -> 書ける(Plain form)
急ぎます -> 急げます -> 急げる(Plain form)
着きます -> 着けます -> 着ける(Plain form)
呼びます -> 呼べます -> 呼べる(Plain form)
飲みます -> 飲めます -> 飲める(Plain form)
Group 2 verbs
You can change group 2 verbs into its potential form by adding られ to the verb.
食べます -> 食べられます -> 食べられる(Plain form)
やめます -> やめられます -> やめられる(Plain form)
起きます(Special G2) -> 起きられます -> 起きられる(Plain form)
借ります(Special G2) -> 借りられます -> 借りられる(Plain form)
Group 3 verbs
します -> できます -> できる(Plain form)
来ます -> 来られます -> 来られる(Plain form)
Examples
Mr Tanaka can play the guitar.
田中さんはギターが弾けます。
We can ride the shinkansen to Osaka.
大阪まで新幹線が乗れます。
Michael can't swim.
マイクさんは泳げません。
I cannot come to the party next week.
来週のパーティが来られません。
- All potential-verb belongs to Group 2 even though they're originally made from Group 1 and Group 3 verbs.
- When we use potential-verb, we use が as a direct-object particle. You can see it in the example sentences below.
見えます and 聞こえます
見えます vs 見えられます
見えます (can be seen, be seen, be insight) is different from 見られます (can see, able to see).
見えます means it can be seen regardless of the volition of the speaker. For example, you can see the tall mountain from here. You don't have to do anything to be able to see the existence of the mountain.
見えられます means you can see something actively than passively. For example, "Can you see my wallet on the table?"
You can see Mount Fuji from here.
ここから富士山が見える。
Can you see my wallet on the table?
机の上に私の財布が見えられますか？
聞こえます vs 聞けます
Similarly, 聞こえます (hear, can be heard, be audible) is different from 聞けます (can listen, able to listen, can hear, be able to hear).
聞こえます means it can be heard regardless of the volition of the speaker. For example:
"The sound of the river can be heard from the lodge."
ロッジから川の音が聞こえます。
聞けます means you can hear something actively than passively. For example:
"You can listen to the tape again."
また、テープを聞けます。