Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 22
Structure of れる・られる (Potential):
Examples:
[る1]Verb → 見る + られる(1)
[る5]Verb → 座る + れる
[う]Verb → 歌う + える
[く]Verb → 歩く + ける
[す]Verb → 話す + せる
[つ]Verb → 打つ + てる
[ぬ]Verb → 死ぬ + ねる
[ぶ]Verb → 飛ぶ + べる
[む]Verb → 休む + める
[ぐ]Verb → 泳ぐ + げる
Exceptions:
する → できる
(1) 見れる、ら抜き言葉 (casual). Some may consider it not grammatical.
Details about れる・られる (Potential):
In addition to 'passive' verbs, れる and られる (the auxiliary verbs) are used when expressing possibility '可能'.
られる will be attached to the base form of る-Verbs (the form after る has been removed). Note also that れる and られる themselves behave like standard る-Verbs, so can be conjugated into a variety of different tenses in the same way as a standard verb.
られる will be attached to the base form of る-Verbs (the form after る has been removed). Note also that れる and られる themselves behave like standard る-Verbs, so can be conjugated into a variety of different tenses in the same way as a standard verb.
- 明日までに届けられる?Can you deliver it by tomorrow? (Natural Japanese, and may express 'potential', 'passivity', 'respect', or 'spontaneous occurrence')
- 一人で全部食べられる?Can you eat all of this on your own? (Natural Japanese, and may express 'potential', 'passivity', 'respect', or 'spontaneous occurrence')
- トムはすぐに新しい文法を覚えれる。Tom is able to remember new grammar immediately. (Natural Japanese only when expressing 'potential', not 'passivity', 'respect', or 'spontaneous occurrence')
- 彼はなんでも食べれる。He can eat anything. (Natural Japanese only when expressing 'potential', not 'passivity', 'respect', or 'spontaneous occurrence')
- この歌は弾けますか?Are you able to play this song?
- この池では色々な魚が釣れます。You can catch many kinds of fish in this lake.
- サリーはほとんどの漢字を書くことができる。Sally is able to write most kanji.
れる・られる (Potential)
Usage Notes for れる・られる (Potential):
ことができる and られる (when used in its 'potential' meaning) have exactly the same nuance. However, many people consider ことができる to be slightly more polite.
Synonyms for れる・られる (Potential):
得る・得る
Is able to, Can, Possible
Verb[れる・られる]
Was done to ~ by ~, Done without consent, Done to one's dismay
ことができる
Can, Be able to
聞こえる
To be audible, To sound (like), (Can) hear, To be heard
見える
To be visible, To seem, To be in sight
Example of れる・られる (Potential)
あの山が見られますか。
Can you see that mountain over there?
私は夏休みごろ、旅行に行ける。
I can take a trip around summer vacation.
私の妹は100字の漢字が書ける。
My little sister is able to write 100 kanji.
10分待てますか。
Can you wait 10 minutes?
彼は力が強いからあの重いテレビ台を一人で持てます。
He is strong, so he can pick up that heavy TV stand by himself.
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