B1 · Mittelstufe Kapitel 2

Expressing Ability and Growth

6 Gesamtregeln
61 Beispiele
6 Min.
Regeln in diesem Kapitel Schnelle Übung

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock your potential by learning how to express capabilities and personal growth in Japanese.

  • Transform standard verbs into their potential forms to express ability.
  • Master the subtle shift from 'wo' to 'ga' particles for natural phrasing.
  • Describe your personal progress and evolving skills using '～ようになる'.
Speak your potential: from what you can do to growth.

Was du lernen wirst

Ready to unlock a new level of Japanese fluency and express yourself like a native speaker? In this chapter, you'll master how to say 'I can' or 'I am able to do' and, even more importantly, describe how your skills have evolved and what new abilities you've gained over time. We'll start by transforming regular verbs into their potential forms: from U-verbs with their characteristic vowel shift (like 'u' to 'e' + 'ru'), to Ru-verbs by adding 'られる', and even tackling the irregular forms of 'する' and '来る' to express various possibilities. Then, we'll dive into a crucial nuance: using 'が' instead of 'を' when talking about abilities, which will make your Japanese sound incredibly natural and polished. For those moments when you need to express ability or possibility with a touch more formality, you'll learn the elegant 'koto ga dekiru' construction. And for describing personal growth – like finally being able to do something or developing a new habit – the versatile '～ようになる' will become your new best friend. Imagine saying, 'Now I can make sushi!' or 'I'm gradually becoming able to read kanji!' By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently discuss your capabilities, articulate your progress over time, and truly feel how much your Japanese has advanced. Let's dive in and express your full potential!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Convert any verb into its potential form to describe what is possible.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Use the 'ga' particle correctly with potential verbs in conversation.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Describe a new skill you have recently acquired using '～ようになる'.

Kapitel-Leitfaden

Overview

Welcome to this exciting chapter on expressing ability and growth in Japanese grammar B1! As you progress on your language journey, moving beyond basic phrases and into more nuanced expressions is key to sounding natural and confident. This chapter is designed to help you do just that.
We'll dive deep into how to articulate what you can do and, perhaps even more importantly, how to describe your personal progress and new capabilities over time. This isn't just about learning new forms; it's about unlocking a whole new level of self-expression in Japanese.
Mastering these grammar patterns will significantly enhance your ability to participate in real-world conversations. Imagine confidently telling someone,
Now I can read most kanji!
or
I can finally cook Japanese food.
These expressions are fundamental for anyone aiming for CEFR B1 Japanese proficiency, as they allow for richer, more personal communication. You'll learn the crucial difference between merely stating an ability and describing how you *became* able to do something, adding depth to your narratives.
By the end of this chapter, you'll have a robust toolkit to discuss your skills, acknowledge improvements, and share your learning journey in Japanese. This will not only make your conversations more engaging but also boost your confidence in using the language actively. Get ready to express your full potential and truly feel the advancement in your Japanese ability!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the essential grammar points that will empower you to express ability and growth. First, we tackle the Potential Form, which is how you say can do or
am able to do
with verbs. For U-verbs, you change the final -u sound to an -eru sound.
For example, 話す (hanasu - to speak) becomes 話せる (hanaseru - can speak), and 書く (kaku - to write) becomes 書ける (kakeru - can write). This simple vowel shift is your first step to unlocking potential.
For Ru-verbs, the pattern is slightly different but equally straightforward. You drop the final -ru and add -られる (-rareru). So, 食べる (taberu - to eat) becomes 食べられる (taberareru - can eat), and 見る (miru - to see) becomes 見られる (mirareru - can see).
There are also irregular verbs: する (suru - to do) transforms into できる (dekiru - can do), and 来る (kuru - to come) becomes 来られる (korareru - can come). Mastering these conjugations is fundamental for expressing ability in Japanese.
A crucial nuance often missed by learners is Mastering 'Can Do': Using が instead of を with potential forms. When a verb is in its potential form, the object that was previously marked by を (o) will usually be marked by が (ga) instead. For instance, instead of 日本語を話します (Nihongo o hanashimasu - I speak Japanese), you'd say 日本語が話せます (Nihongo ga hanasemasu - I can speak Japanese).
This small change makes your Japanese sound much more natural.
For a more formal or general way to express ability or possibility, you can use the Formal Ability: Using 'Koto Ga Dekiru' construction. This involves taking a verb in its plain form, adding こと (koto - thing/fact), and then ができる (ga dekiru - can do). For example, 漢字を読むことができます (Kanji o yomu koto ga dekimasu - I can read kanji).
This structure is versatile and can be used even when the verb itself doesn't directly take an object with を.
Finally, to express growth or the process of *becoming* able to do something, we use Becoming able to do something (～ようになる). This pattern, attached to the plain form of a verb (or potential form), indicates a change in state or ability over time. For example, 日本語が話せるようになりました (Nihongo ga hanaseru you ni narimashita - I have become able to speak Japanese).
This highlights the journey and development, making it perfect for describing your progress!

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 私は日本語を話せます。
✓ Correct: 私は日本語が話せます。 (Watashi wa Nihongo ga hanasemasu.)
*Explanation:* When using a potential verb, the object of the verb typically changes from を (o) to が (ga). While を is sometimes heard informally, が is the standard and most natural particle for potential forms.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 食べるる (taberuru)
✓ Correct: 食べられる (taberareru)
*Explanation:* A common mistake is misconjugating Ru-verbs into their potential form. Remember, for Ru-verbs, you drop the -ru and add -られる (-rareru), not just add another -ru.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 泳げる。 (Oyogeru. - I can swim.) (When you want to say you *became* able to swim)
✓ Correct: 泳げるようになりました。 (Oyogeru you ni narimashita. - I have become able to swim.)
*Explanation:* While 泳げる correctly states I can swim, if you want to express the *process* or *change* of gaining that ability, ～ようになる is essential. It highlights that this is a new capability you've developed over time.

Real Conversations

A

A

日本語、話せますか？ (Nihongo, hanasemasu ka? - Can you speak Japanese?)
B

B

はい、少し話せます。漢字も少し読めますよ。 (Hai, sukoshi hanasemasu. Kanji mo sukoshi yomemasu yo. - Yes, I can speak a little. I can read some kanji too.)
A

A

最近、料理をするようになりましたか？ (Saikin, ryouri o suru you ni narimashita ka? - Have you started being able to cook recently?)
B

B

ええ、一人暮らしを始めてから、自分でご飯が作れるようになりました。 (Ee, hitorigurashi o hajimete kara, jibun de gohan ga tsukureru you ni narimashita. - Yes, since I started living alone, I've become able to cook my own meals.)
A

A

この美術館では、写真撮影をすることができますか？ (Kono bijutsukan de wa, shashin satsuei o suru koto ga dekimasu ka? - Is it possible to take photos in this museum?)
B

B

いいえ、残念ながら、ここでは写真撮影をすることができません。 (Iie, zannen nagara, koko de wa shashin satsuei o suru koto ga dekimasen. - No, unfortunately, you cannot take photos here.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between using the potential form (e.g., 話せる) and ～ことができる (e.g., 話すことができる)?

The potential form expresses inherent personal ability or capability (e.g., I can speak). ～ことができる is broader; it can express personal ability but also general possibility or permission (e.g.,

It is possible to speak
or
You are allowed to speak
). It's often used in more formal contexts or when the verb is already transitive.

Q

Why do we use が instead of を with potential verbs in Japanese grammar?

When a verb becomes potential, it shifts focus from the *action* done to the *object* itself, emphasizing its potential-ness. The object becomes the subject of the potential ability, hence the use of が to mark it.

Q

Can ～ようになる be used for things other than personal ability or growth?

Yes! While often used for personal development, ～ようになる can also describe general changes or developments in situations or states. For example, 寒くなる (samuku naru - to become cold) could become 寒くなるようになりました (samuku naru you ni narimashita - it has become cold).

Q

How do I express that I *used* to be able to do something but can't anymore?

You would use the past tense of the potential form, often combined with ～なくなった to emphasize the cessation of ability. For example, 昔は泳げましたが、今は泳げなくなりました (Mukashi wa oyogemashita ga, ima wa oyogenaku narimashita - I used to be able to swim, but now I can't anymore).

Cultural Context

These expressions of ability and growth subtly reflect Japanese cultural values. The emphasis on ～ようになる highlights the importance of continuous effort (努力 - doryoku) and self-improvement, a deeply ingrained concept in Japan. It's common to express humility even when possessing a high skill level, often downplaying one's abilities.
Conversely, acknowledging one's *growth* using ～ようになる can be seen as a humble way to share progress, showing dedication rather than boasting. This linguistic nuance mirrors the cultural appreciation for the journey of learning and mastery.

Wichtige Beispiele (2)

1

毎日日本語を勉強するようになった。

Ich habe angefangen, jeden Tag Japanisch zu lernen.

Etwas tun können/anfangen (～ようになる)
2

半年で刺身が食べられるようになりました。

Nach einem halben Jahr konnte ich Sashimi essen.

Etwas tun können/anfangen (～ようになる)

Tipps & Tricks (4)

🎯

Der Partikel-Wechsel zu 'Ga'

Nutze bei Potenzialverben lieber ga statt wo. Es beschreibt einen Zustand deines Könnens, keine direkte Aktion: «{日本語|にほんご}が{話|はな}せる。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Potenzialform: Kannst du es tun? (U-Verben)
💡

Der Partikel-Wechsel

Denk dran, oft von を zu が zu wechseln, wenn du die Potenzialform nutzt, um wie ein Profi zu klingen! «漢字が書けます。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanische Potenzialform: 'Ich kann' für ru-Verben (～られる)
⚠️

Die Partikel-Falle

Benutze niemals 'o' mit 'dekiru'. Das ist ein klassischer Fehler! Markiere das, was du kannst, immer mit 'ga': «テニスができる».
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanische Potenzialform: Kannst du das? (Suru/Kuru)
💡

Denk an Adjektive, nicht Aktionen

Stell dir vor, die Potentialform ist wie ein Adjektiv – es beschreibt einen Zustand. So wie 'Sushi ist lecker' が braucht, braucht auch 'Sushi ist essbar' が. «寿司が食べられる。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Können ausdrücken: Warum wir が statt を nutzen (Potenzialform)

Wichtige Vokabeln (5)

泳ぐ(およぐ) to swim 食べる(たべる) to eat 運転する(うんてんする) to drive 日本語(にほんご) Japanese language 漢字(かんじ) Kanji

Real-World Preview

coffee

Talking about new skills

Review Summary

  • U-verb (u->e) + ru
  • Verb(dictionary) + you ni naru

Häufige Fehler

Potential verbs require 'ga' instead of 'wo'. This is a common slip for learners used to transitive verbs.

Wrong: 日本語を話せる (Nihongo o hanaseru)
Richtig: 日本語が話せる (Nihongo ga hanaseru)

Adding 'reru' instead of 'rareru' to Ru-verbs is a common conjugation error.

Wrong: 食べるれる (Taberureru)
Richtig: 食べられる (Taberareru)

When discussing ability, the verb inside 'you ni naru' should also be in the potential form.

Wrong: 泳ぐようになる (Oyogu you ni naru)
Richtig: 泳げるようになる (Oyogeru you ni naru)

Next Steps

You've done an incredible job mastering these complex verb forms! Keep practicing, and you'll see your daily Japanese conversation improve rapidly.

Practice potential conjugation with flashcards

Continue to: The Passive Voice: Actions and Impacts

Schnelle Übung (6)

Welcher Satz bedeutet 'Ich habe angefangen, Sport zu treiben'?

Wähle den richtigen Satz:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {運動|うんどう}するようになりました。
Wörterbuchform + ようになる ist der Standardweg, um eine neue Gewohnheit zu beschreiben.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Etwas tun können/anfangen (～ようになる)

Welcher Satz bedeutet korrekt 'Ich kann den Bildschirm sehen'?

Wähle den richtigen Satz:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {画面|がめん}が{見られます|みられます}。
Die Potenzialform von {見る|みる} ist {見られる|みられる}. Wir nutzen meistens das Partikel が, um das Ziel der Fähigkeit zu markieren.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanische Potenzialform: 'Ich kann' für ru-Verben (～られる)

Finde den Fehler im Satz über das Aufhören einer Gewohnheit.

Find and fix the mistake:

{煙草|たばこ}を {吸|す}わないになりました。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {吸|す}わなくなりました。
Wenn eine Gewohnheit endet, wird aus dem negativen 'ない' ein 'なくなる'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Etwas tun können/anfangen (～ようになる)

Finde den Fehler in diesem lockeren Satz: 'Ich kann morgen nicht kommen.'

{明日|あした}は{来|こ}れないです。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er ist korrekt als 'Ra-nuki' Umgangssprache.
In der lockeren Sprache wird aus {来られる|こられる} oft {来れる|これる}. Das ist im Alltag völlig akzeptiert.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanische Potenzialform: 'Ich kann' für ru-Verben (～られる)

Fülle die Lücke aus, um 'lesen gelernt' zu sagen.

{漢字|かんじ}が {___} ようになりました。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {読|よ}める
Um eine Fähigkeit zu zeigen, musst du die Potenzialform '{読|よ}める' vor 'ようになる' verwenden.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Etwas tun können/anfangen (～ようになる)

Ändere das Verb {食べる|たべる} in die Potenzialform (einfach).

私はもっとたくさん___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {食べられる|たべられる}
Bei ru-Verben wie {食べる|たべる} entfernen wir das る und hängen られる an, um 'können' auszudrücken.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanische Potenzialform: 'Ich kann' für ru-Verben (～られる)

Score: /6

Häufige Fragen (6)

Nein, nur für Gruppe 1 (U-Verben). Ru-Verben wie 'taberu' werden zu «{食|た}べられる». Suru wird zu «{出来|でき}る».
Meistens nicht. Für 'Darf ich gehen?' nutzt man «{行|い}ってもいいですか？». «{行|い}ける？» fragt eher nach der physischen Möglichkeit.
Ru-Verben (oder Ichidan-Verben) enden fast immer auf iru oder eru (wie taberu). Du konjugierst sie ganz easy, indem du das る einfach wegwirfst. «Zum Beispiel wird aus {食べる|たべる} dann {食べられる|たべられる}.»
Ja, aber denk dran: {話す|はなす} ist ein u-Verb, also wird es zu {話せる|はなせる}. Ru-Verben wie {覚える|おぼえる} (merken) werden zu {覚えられる|おぼえられる}.
Das ist ein unregelmäßiges Verb. Es nutzt einen völlig anderen Stamm für das Potenzial. Das musst du einfach auswendig lernen: «できる».
Ja, aber das ist viel länger und klingt sehr formell. Im Alltag ist «できる» fast immer besser.
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