JNews

This level is locked

1課 可能・能力
Ability — ability form, 見える/聞こえる, ことができる
1課

V可能形(動詞の可能形)

接続:Ⅰ類: う段→え段+る(書く→書ける)/Ⅱ類: る→られる(食べる→食べられる)/Ⅲ類: する→できる、来る→来られる
What can be done — possibility form of the verb, expressing capacity or enabling condition. The object often changes を → が.
注意 / Note:The object changes を to が: 漢字を読む → 漢字が読める. The verb possibility is autonomous so it is conjugated as Ⅱ類 (書ける→書けます→書けない). In everyday conversation, 食べられる is often shortened to 食べれる(ら抜き言葉)— not used in exams.
比較 / Compare:可能形(1 word, informal)/ことができる(2 words, more formal)— same meaning.
よく出る形 / Common form:Nは Nが V可能形。/〜が+可能形+ようになる(become able to do it).
わたしはひらがなが書けます。
I can write hiragana.
日曜日は早く起きられません。
On Sunday I can't get up early.
この店ではカードが使えますか。
Can I use a card at this store?

Same lesson

JLPT study area

Create a free account to start the JLPT programme and keep all your progress.

or
Forgot password?

Bilingual articles stay free to read, no account needed.

Choose your language

Japanese content always stays — that is what you are here to learn.

Choose your level before you start

Your account has not picked a level yet. Choose one so JNews opens the right roadmap and drills, and saves your progress.

The other four lock once you choose. You can switch later, but the old level’s progress is erased.