能Longer sentences
Can do
Two ways to say “can”: a short verb form used in everyday speech, and a longer, more formal ことができる.
Making the short form
Every verb has one
These then behave like group 2 verbs: 話せます, 話せない.
| Group | Change | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | final -u becomes -eru | 話す → 話せる, 書く → 書ける |
| Group 2 | drop る, add られる | 食べる → 食べられる, 見る → 見られる |
| Irregular | する → できる, 来る → 来られる |
Two ways
Same meaning, different style
I can speak Korean.
Conversational.
I can speak Japanese.
More formal.
Try some
Pick a verb
Plain, then the “can” form.
can write
-u becomes -eru.
In use
Abilities and possibilities
I can play the piano.
The object often takes が.
I can't eat any more.
You can see the sea from here.
I can't write kanji yet.
Things to watch
Particles and exceptions
The object can be が or を: が is typical, and を suggests more deliberate action. Spatial を keeps its を: 川を泳げます, “I can swim across the river.” Verbs you can't control don't have a “can” form, including 分かる, ある and 要る. Don't mix up 見られる with 見える, or 聞ける with 聞こえる: those describe what simply comes to you.
Check yourself
Is it a “can” form?
Your turn
Which “can” form?
I can speak English.
Find the mistake
Tap the part that's wrong.
。
Say it yourself
Your skills
At a job interview, say what languages you can speak and whether you can drive. Be polite.
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