Japanese Potential Form: Can you do it? (Suru/Kuru)
できる and {来|こ}られる lets you express ability and possibility in natural Japanese.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To express ability with irregular verbs, change {する|する} to {できる|できる} and {来る|くる} to {来られる|こられる}.
- The verb {する|する} (to do) becomes {できる|できる} (can do).
- The verb {来る|くる} (to come) becomes {来られる|こられる} (can come).
- Potential verbs always take the particle {が|が} instead of {を|を} for the object.
Overview
The Japanese potential form allows you to express ability or possibility: "can do" or "is able to do." While most verbs follow systematic conjugation patterns to form their potential (e.g., Group 1 verbs like 読む (よむ) become 読める (よめる), and Group 2 verbs like 食べる (たべる) become 食べられる (たべられる)), two highly frequent verbs, する (to do) and くる (to come), are inherently irregular. Their potential forms, できる (できる) and 来られる (こられる), are essential for B1-level learners to master. These forms are not mere mechanical conjugations; they represent a fundamental shift in how actions are perceived, moving from direct action to the capacity or circumstance surrounding an action.
Understanding these irregularities is crucial for natural communication, as these verbs permeate daily Japanese discourse, from formal settings to casual conversations and digital interactions.
Historically, the irregularity of する and くる stems from their ancient origins and high frequency, which allowed them to resist regular phonological changes and maintain unique conjugations. The verb する transforms into できる, which originates from 出(い)で来(く)る (to come out, to appear), and evolved to mean "to be able to do." The verb くる combines its irregular stem こ- with the potential suffix ～られる, resulting in こられる. Mastering these forms enables you to articulate personal capabilities, assess the feasibility of tasks, and navigate social engagements, distinguishing your Japanese from a strictly literal translation.
Importantly, once する and くる take their potential forms, できる and こられる conjugate consistently as Group 2 verbs (る-verbs), simplifying subsequent grammatical applications.
Conjugation Table
| Form Type | する (to do) -> Potential |
くる (to come) -> Potential (Formal) |
くる (to come) -> Potential (Casual, ら抜き) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :------------------- | :--------------------------- | :--------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------- | ||
| Dictionary Form | できる (de-KI-ru) |
来られる (こられる) (ko-RA-re-ru) |
来れる (これる) (ko-RE-ru) |
||
| Polite Form | できます |
来られます (こられます) |
来れます (これます) |
||
| Negative Form | できない |
来られない (こられない) |
来れない (これない) |
||
| Polite Negative | できません |
来られません (こられません) |
来れません (これません) |
||
| Past Form | できた |
来られた (こられた) |
来れた (これた) |
||
| Polite Past | できました |
来られました (こられました) |
来れました (これました) |
||
| Past Negative | できなかった |
来られなかった (こられなかった) |
来れなかった (これなかった) |
||
| Polite Past Negative | できませんでした |
来られませんでした (こられませんでした) |
来れませんでした (これませんでした) |
||
| Te-Form | できて |
来られて (こられて) |
来れて (これて) |
||
| Conditional (ば) | できれば |
来られれば (こられれば) |
来れれば (これれば) |
||
| Volitional | できよう |
来られよう (こられよう) |
来れよう (これよう) |
How This Grammar Works
する and くる take their potential forms, the grammatical relationship within the sentence often shifts, particularly with the direct object particle を. The fundamental mechanism involves transforming the verb from an active action to an expression of capability or possibility. This transformation implies that the subject possesses the ability to perform an action, or that the action can be done under certain conditions.する becoming できる, the most significant change, apart from the verb form itself, is the particle associated with the object of the verb. In its non-potential form, する typically takes the direct object particle を to mark what is being done. For instance, 日本語を勉強する (にほんごをべんきょうする) means "to study Japanese." However, when する becomes できる, the object of the ability is almost always marked by the subject particle が.日本語ができます (にほんごができます), meaning "I can speak/do Japanese." Here, 日本語 (にほんご) isn't directly acted upon in the same way; rather, the ability (できる) pertains to Japanese.- Original:
料理をします(りょうりをします) – "I cook (do cooking)." - Potential:
料理ができます(りょうりができます) – "I can cook (cooking is possible for me)."
を, you are the agent performing an action. With が, the object is presented as something within your capacity.できる.くる becoming 来られる (こられる) (or 来れる (これる)), the mechanism is simpler as くる usually expresses movement and doesn't typically take a direct object with を. The potential form here focuses solely on the possibility of arrival or ability to come. パーティーに来られますか？ (パーティーにこられますか？) – "Can you come to the party?" Here, the ability is about the physical act of coming, or the circumstances allowing for it.できる and 来られる function grammatically as Group 2 verbs (る-verbs). This means all subsequent conjugations (negative, past, te-form, etc.) follow the predictable patterns of る-verbs by simply dropping the final る and attaching the appropriate ending. For example, できない and 食べない follow the same pattern for negation.Formation Pattern
する and くる involves distinct changes due to their irregular nature. Unlike regular verbs, where a suffix is added, these verbs undergo more significant transformations.
する (to do):
する is entirely replaced by できる. There is no affixation or regular stem change. This complete transformation makes できる unique and easy to identify. できる functions as a Group 2 verb from this point onward.
宿題をする (しゅくだいをする) (to do homework) → 宿題ができる (しゅくだいができる) (can do homework)
運転する (うんてんする) (to drive) → 運転ができる (うんてんができる) (can drive)
Noun + する (e.g., 勉強する (べんきょうする) – to study, 料理する (りょうりする) – to cook), you simply replace する with できる.
日本語を勉強します (にほんごをべんきょうします) → 日本語ができます (にほんごができます) (I can study/do Japanese.)
パソコンを修理します (パソコンをしゅうりします) → パソコンが修理できます (パソコンがしゅうりできます) (I can repair computers.)
くる (to come):
くる changes its stem from く- to こ- and then attaches the potential suffix ～られる. This results in 来られる (こられる). Like できる, 来られる then behaves as a regular Group 2 verb.
会社に来る (かいしゃにくる) (to come to the office) → 会社に来られる (かいしゃにこられる) (can come to the office)
明日パーティーに来ますか？ (あしたパーティーにきますか？) → 明日パーティーに来られますか？ (あしたパーティーにこられますか？) (Can you come to the party tomorrow?)
ら抜き言葉 (ra-nuki kotoba): 来れる (これる)
来れる (これる) in casual and informal speech. This form omits the ら (ra) sound from 来られる (こられる). While grammatically considered non-standard, it is exceedingly common, especially among younger speakers and in informal communication like texting or social media. Linguistically, this ら抜き phenomenon is observed in many Group 2 verbs' potential forms (e.g., 見られる (みられる) → 見れる (みれる) – can see), but it is particularly noticeable with くる due to its high frequency.
明日の会議に来られますか？ (あすのかいぎにこられますか？) (Can you come to tomorrow's meeting?)
明日の会議に来れる？ (あすのかいぎにこれる？) (Can you come to tomorrow's meeting?)
来られる (こられる) in formal or polite contexts (e.g., with superiors, in formal writing, examinations) and 来れる (これる) in casual conversations with friends, family, or close colleagues.
When To Use It
できる and 来られる/来れる are used in several key situations, primarily to express capability, possibility, or circumstances that allow for an action. Their application is broader than a simple "can," often encompassing feasibility and even understanding.- 1Expressing Ability or Skill (能力 -
のうりょく):
私は日本語ができます。(わたしはにほんごができます。) – "I can speak Japanese."彼は泳ぐことができます。(かれはおよぐことができます。) – "He can swim." (Note:泳ぐ(およぐ) is a Group 1 verb, usingこと が できるfor generality, butできるstill expresses the ability).
- 1Expressing Possibility or Feasibility (可能性 -
かのうせい):
明日までにこのレポートをできますか？(あしたまでにこのレポートをできますか？) – "Can you finish this report by tomorrow?" (Is it feasible?)この道は車で来られます。(このみちはくるまでこられます。) – "You can come via car on this road." (It's possible to come by car.)
- 1Circumstance or Convenience (都合 -
つごう):
来られる/来れる, this refers to whether one's schedule or situation permits them to attend or arrive.今日のミーティングに来られますか？(きょうのミーティングにこられますか？) – "Can you make it to today's meeting?" (Is your schedule convenient?)残念ですが、今日はちょっと来れません。(ざんねんですが、きょうはちょっとこれません。) – "Unfortunately, I can't come today." (My circumstances don't allow it.)
- 1Availability or Functionality:
できる is also commonly used to indicate that something is available, ready, or functioning. This is frequently seen in service industries or when discussing technology.クレジットカードで支払いができますか？(クレジットカードでしはらいができますか？) – "Can I pay by credit card?" (Is payment by card possible/available?)このアプリは日本語表示ができます。(このアプリはにほんごひょうじができます。) – "This app can display Japanese." (It has the functionality.)
- 1Understanding/Grasping a Concept (理解 -
りかい):
できる can imply understanding or grasping a situation or problem, particularly in negative contexts.彼の言っていることができませんでした。(かれのいっていることができませんでした。) – "I couldn't understand what he was saying." (It wasn't possible for me to grasp it.)
Common Mistakes
する and くる. Recognizing these common errors and understanding the underlying reasons is vital for improving accuracy and sounding more natural.- 1Incorrect Particle Usage with
できる:
を with できる instead of が. When する becomes できる, the object of the action transitions from being something acted upon to something that can be done by the subject. Therefore, it is marked with が, indicating it as the item of focus for the ability. を implies a direct, transitive action, which is no longer the primary focus with できる.- Incorrect:
日本語をできます。(にほんごをできます。) - Correct:
日本語ができます。(にほんごができます。) – "I can speak Japanese."
- 1Confusing
できる(potential) withできる(completion/formation):
できる has another meaning: "to be completed," "to be made," or "to come into existence." Context is paramount to distinguish between these two uses. Learners often conflate them.- Potential:
この仕事は明日までにできる。(このしごとはあしたまでにできる。) – "I can do this job by tomorrow." (Ability/Possibility) - Completion:
ご飯ができたよ。(はんができたよ。) – "Dinner is ready." (Completion) - Formation:
駅前に新しいビルができた。(えきまえにあたらしいビルができた。) – "A new building was built in front of the station." (Formation)
- 1Incorrectly Conjugating
するfor Potential:
する, leading to non-existent forms like すられる or される (which is the passive form). Remember, する is entirely replaced by できる.- Incorrect:
日本語をすられます。 - Correct:
日本語ができます。
- 1Confusing
来られる(こられる) with Passive or Honorific来る(くる):
来られる (こられる) is identical for potential, passive, and honorific usage of 来る (くる). Discerning the meaning requires careful attention to context and surrounding particles.- Potential:
明日、学校に来られますか？(あした、がっこうにこられますか？) – "Can you come to school tomorrow?" (Ability/Possibility) - Passive:
先生に急に学校に来られた。(せんせいにきゅうにがっこうにこられた。) – "I was suddenly made to come to school by the teacher." (Implies external influence, often negative.) - Honorific:
社長が会議に来られました。(しゃちょうがかいぎにこられました。) – "The president came to the meeting." (Respectful language for someone's arrival.) - Tip: If the sentence focuses on the subject's own capacity or decision, it's likely potential. If an external agent is implied or if it's clearly deferential to someone superior, it's likely passive or honorific.
- 1Over-reliance on
～ことができる:
～ことができる (where ことができる attaches to the dictionary form of a verb, e.g., 泳ぐことができる (およぐことができる) – can swim) is grammatically correct and versatile, native speakers often prefer できる or 来られる/来れる when appropriate, as they sound more concise and natural. Using ～ことができる for する or くる forms (すること が できる or 来ること が できる) is grammatically sound but can sometimes sound stiff or overly formal if a direct potential form is available and natural.- More Natural:
料理ができます。 - Less Natural (but grammatically correct):
料理をすることが できます。
- 1Misusing
ら抜き言葉(ra-nuki kotoba):
来れる (これる) in highly formal settings or with individuals of much higher status can be perceived as overly casual or even impolite. While widely accepted informally, cultural sensitivity dictates reserving 来られる (こられる) for situations requiring politeness and formality.- Incorrect (in formal context):
部長、明日は来れますか？(ぶちょう、あしたはこれますか？) - Correct (in formal context):
部長、明日は来られますか？(ぶちょう、あしたはこられますか？) – "Manager, can you come tomorrow?"
Contrast With Similar Patterns
できる and 来られる/来れる compare with other structures expressing ability or possibility helps refine your usage and choose the most appropriate expression for any given context.- 1
～ことができる(can do/it is possible to do):
V-こと が できる).する/くる (できる/来られる) | ～ことができる |する→できる, くる→来られる) | Dictionary Form + こと が できる |日本語ができます。 (にほんごができます。) | 日本語を話すことが できます。 (にほんごをはなすことが できます。)|～ことができる is always grammatically correct, できる and 来られる often sound more idiomatic for their respective verbs. For する verbs, Noun + ができる is usually preferred over Noun をすること が できる unless a specific nuance of emphasis on the action is intended. For くる, 来られる is more common than 来る こと が できる.- 1Potential Forms of Other Verbs (
～える/～られる):
～える (for Group 1) or ～られる (for Group 2). できる and 来られる are distinct precisely because they don't follow these regular patterns from their original forms.- Group 1:
読む(よむ) (to read) →読める(よめる) (can read) - Group 2:
食べる(たべる) (to eat) →食べられる(たべられる) (can eat) - Irregular:
する(to do) →できる(can do);くる(to come) →来られる(こられる) (can come)
- 1Passive Form (
～られる):
くる also uses ～られる. For 来る, the passive form 来られる (こられる) is identical to the potential form. The distinction is purely contextual.- Potential:
彼女は明日、ここへ来られる。(かのじょはあした、ここへこられる。) – "She can come here tomorrow." - Passive:
知らない人に道を急に来られた。(しらないひとにみちをきゅうにこられた。) – "I was suddenly approached by a stranger on the street." (Here, the action of coming happened to the speaker, often with an unwanted nuance).
- 1
～てもいい(may/can/it's alright to):
- Potential:
私はこの箱を持てます。(わたしはこのはこをもてます。) – "I can carry this box." (I have the strength/ability.) - Permission:
この箱を持ってもいいです。(このはこをもってもいいです。) – "You may carry this box." (You are permitted to carry it.)
- 1
～ようになる(to become able to do/to get to the point where one does):
- Potential:
彼は自転車に乗ることができます。(かれはじてんしゃにのることができます。) – "He can ride a bicycle." (He has the ability.) - Becoming Able:
練習して、自転車に乗れるように なった。(れんしゅうして、じてんしゃにのれるように なった。) – "After practicing, I became able to ride a bicycle." (Focus on the process of acquiring the ability.)
Real Conversations
Understanding how できる and 来られる/来れる are used in authentic, everyday dialogue is crucial for fluency. These examples demonstrate their natural application in various contexts, from casual texts to more polite exchanges.
Scenario 1
- A: 今週末、映画見れる？ (こんしゅうまつ、えいがみれる？)
(Can you see a movie this weekend?)
- B: ごめん、ちょっと無理かも。レポートが全然できてないんだ。 (ごめん、ちょっとむりかも。レポートがぜんぜんできてないんだ。)
(Sorry, maybe not possible. I haven't been able to do my report at all.)
- A: そっかー、じゃあ、来週は？来週なら来れる？ (そっかー、じゃあ、らいしゅうは？らいしゅうならこれる？)
(Oh, okay. How about next week? Can you come next week?)
Scenario 2
- Customer: すみません、このメニューは英語で読めますか？ (すみません、このメニューはえいごでよめますか？)
(Excuse me, can I read this menu in English?)
- Staff: はい、英語のメニューもできます。少々お待ちください。 (はい、えいごのメニューもできます。しょうしょうおまちください。)
(Yes, we can do an English menu. Please wait a moment.)
Scenario 3
- Subject: 来週の会議について (らいしゅうのかいぎについて) (Regarding next week's meeting)
- `〇〇様、
いつもお世話になっております。来週の会議ですが、15時開始でご都合来られますでしょうか？
ご確認のほどよろしくお願いいたします。`
(`〇〇さま、
いつもおせわになっております。らいしゅうのかいぎですが、15じかいしでごつごうこられますでしょうか？
ごかくにんのほどよろしくおねがいいたします。`)
(Dear Mr./Ms. XX,
Thank you for your continued support. Regarding next week's meeting, would it be convenient for you to come for a 3 PM start?
Please kindly confirm.)
Scenario 4
- 私は絵を描くことができますが、歌うことは全くできません。 (わたしはえをかくことができますが、うたうことはまったくできません。)
(I can draw pictures, but I absolutely cannot sing.)
These examples illustrate the flexibility and necessity of できる and 来られる/来れる in various conversational and written contexts. Pay close attention to the politeness level and choose the appropriate form (来られる vs. 来れる).
Progressive Practice
To truly internalize the potential forms of する and くる, a structured approach to practice is more effective than rote memorization. This section outlines a progressive practice methodology, moving from basic recognition to nuanced application.
Recognition Drill (Passive Learning):
Begin by actively listening and reading for できる, 来られる, and 来れる in authentic Japanese materials. Watch anime, listen to podcasts, read articles, or browse social media. When you encounter these forms, pause and consider:
- Is it できる or 来られる/来れる?
- What is the subject of the ability (marked by が)?
- What is the context? Is it ability, possibility, or convenience?
- Is 来られる used formally, or is 来れる used casually?
Goal: Train your ear and eye to immediately identify these forms and their basic meaning without active translation.
Transformation Exercise (Active Conjugation):
Take a list of する verbs (e.g., 勉強する, 料理する, 運転する, テニスをする) and くる sentences, and practice converting them into their potential forms. Focus on the particle change for する verbs.
- 運転する (うんてんする) → 運転ができる (うんてんができる)
- 明日、友達がくる。 (あした、ともだちがくる。) → 明日、友達が来られるかな？ (あした、ともだちがこられるかな？) (Can my friend come tomorrow?)
Goal: Solidify the mechanical transformation and correct particle usage.
Scenario-Based Application (Contextualization):
Create short, practical scenarios and formulate sentences using できる and 来られる/来れる. Vary the politeness levels.
- Scenario 1: You are asked if you can attend a party next week.
- Polite: 来週のパーティーに来られます。 (らいしゅうのパーティーにこられます。) (I can come to next week's party.)
- Casual: 来週のパーティー、行けるよ！ (らいしゅうのパーティー、いけるよ！) (Next week's party, I can go! – Note: 行ける is potential of 行く (いく), but similar context.) Or, 来週のパーティー、来れるよ！ (らいしゅうのパーティー、これるよ！)
- Scenario 2: You want to ask if a friend can help with homework.
- 手伝いができる？ (てつだいができる？) (Can you help?)
- 手伝いして くれる ことができる？ (てつだいして くれる ことができる？) (Can you do the favor of helping me? – More explicit request)
Goal: Develop an intuitive sense of when and how to deploy these forms naturally in different social contexts.
Self-Correction with Native Feedback:
Engage in conversation with native speakers or a tutor. Actively try to use できる and 来られる/来れる. Pay close attention to any corrections or rephrasing they offer. Ask why their phrasing is more natural. This feedback loop is invaluable for fine-tuning your usage, especially regarding particle choice and the ら抜き言葉.
Goal: Refine nuance and idiomatic usage through real-world interaction.
Distinction Practice (Contrast):
Regularly review the "Contrast With Similar Patterns" section. Take sentences and try to rephrase them using different potential-expressing structures (～ことができる, passive, ～てもいい, ～ようになる). Analyze how the meaning or nuance shifts with each change.
- この本は読むことができます。 (このほんはよむことができます。) → この本は読めます。 (このほんはよめます。) (More concise potential.)
- 明日の会議に来ることができます。 (あすのかいぎにくることができます。) → 明日の会議に来られます。 (あすのかいぎにこられます。) (More natural potential for くる.)
Goal: Cultivate precision in choosing the most appropriate grammatical structure for your intended meaning.
Quick FAQ
する and くる.- Q: Is
できるalways written in hiragana?
Predominantly, yes. While the kanji 出来る exists, できる in hiragana is the standard and most natural form in modern Japanese for expressing potential. The kanji form might appear in older texts or highly formal documents but can feel archaic or overly stiff in contemporary writing.
- Q: Can
できるrefer to a person's capability or competence?
Absolutely. When referring to a person, 彼はできる人です (かれはできるひとです) means "He is a capable/competent person." This usage implies general ability, intelligence, or effectiveness. However, use it carefully about yourself; saying 私はできる (わたしはできる) can sound boastful or arrogant unless context implies humble self-assessment.
- Q: Is
来れる(これる), theら抜き言葉, truly acceptable in modern Japanese?
In casual conversation, informal writing (like text messages, social media posts), and among peers, 来れる (これる) is not only acceptable but often preferred for its brevity and naturalness. It reflects current spoken Japanese. However, for formal situations, business communications, speeches, or interactions with superiors, the standard 来られる (こられる) remains the safe and polite choice. Knowing when to use which is key to social fluency.
- Q: Can
できるbe used without a specific object, meaning "to be possible" generally?
Yes. できますか？ (できますか？) can function as a general inquiry meaning "Is it possible?" or "Can it be done?" For example, if you're attempting a task, これはできますか？ (これはできますか？) asks "Can this be done?" or "Is this possible?" It implicitly refers to the task at hand.
- Q: If
来られる(こられる) is ambiguous (potential/passive/honorific), how do I resolve it?
Context is your primary tool. Pay attention to: (1) The surrounding particles (e.g., に indicating an agent in passive). (2) The subject of the verb (your own ability vs. someone else's action affecting you). (3) The politeness level of the conversation. (4) The overall narrative. If it's still unclear, a follow-up question or clarification can help, but native speakers typically infer the intended meaning without conscious effort due to robust contextual cues.
- Q: Is
する こと が できる(すること が できる) always less natural thanできる?
Not always less natural, but often more formal or emphatic. できる is concise. すること が できる can put more emphasis on the act or action of doing something, or be used when the Noun + する form is less common as a single concept. For common skills like 日本語を話す (にほんごをはなす) (speak Japanese), 日本語が話せる (にほんごがはなせる) or 日本語が話すことができる are both acceptable, but 日本語が話せる is often more common.
Potential Form Conjugation
| Verb (Dictionary) | Meaning | Potential Form | Negative Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
|
する
|
to do
|
できる
|
できない
|
|
来る
|
to come
|
来られる
|
来られない
|
Meanings
The potential form expresses the ability or possibility to perform an action. For irregular verbs, this involves specific stem changes rather than standard conjugation rules.
Physical Ability
Possessing the skill or physical capacity to do something.
“テニスが{できる|できる}。”
“ピアノが{弾ける|ひける}。”
Situational Possibility
Circumstances allowing an action to occur.
“明日、{来られる|こられる}？”
“この店でカードが{使える|つかえる}。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + Potential
|
宿題ができる
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + Potential (Negative)
|
宿題ができない
|
|
Question
|
Verb + Potential + か
|
明日来られるか？
|
|
Past
|
Verb + Potential (Past)
|
できた
|
|
Polite
|
Verb + Potential (Masu)
|
できます
|
|
Negative Polite
|
Verb + Potential (Masen)
|
できません
|
Formality Spectrum
いらっしゃることができますか？ (Invitation)
来られますか？ (Invitation)
来られる？ (Invitation)
来れる？ (Invitation)
Potential Form Map
Irregular
- する to do
- できる can do
Irregular
- 来る to come
- 来られる can come
Particle Shift
Examples by Level
テニスが{できる|できる}。
I can play tennis.
明日{来られる|こられる}？
Can you come tomorrow?
日本語が{できる|できる}。
I can speak Japanese.
ここへ{来られる|こられる}。
I can come here.
宿題が{できない|できない}。
I cannot do my homework.
パーティーに{来られない|こられない}。
I cannot come to the party.
料理が{できる|できる}？
Can you cook?
明日、{来られる|こられる}か確認する。
I will check if I can come tomorrow.
この{仕事|しごと}は{できる|できる}。
I can do this job.
会議に{来られる|こられる}人は{誰|だれ}？
Who can come to the meeting?
そんなことは{できない|できない}。
I cannot do such a thing.
いつなら{来られる|こられる}？
When can you come?
彼ならこの{問題|もんだい}が{できる|できる}はずだ。
He should be able to solve this problem.
急な{予定|よてい}で{来られなくなった|こられなくなった}。
I can no longer come due to a sudden plan.
もっと{早く|はやく}{できる|できる}ように{努力|どりょく}します。
I will try to be able to do it faster.
この{条件|じょうけん}なら{来られる|こられる}。
Under these conditions, I can come.
到底{できる|できる}ことではない。
It is not something that can be done.
あの方に{来られる|こられる}と{困る|こまる}。
It would be troublesome if that person were to come.
何が{できる|できる}か{見極める|みきわめる}必要がある。
We need to determine what can be done.
いつ{来られる|こられる}か{伺いたい|うかがいたい}。
I would like to ask when you can come.
成し遂げられると信じている。
I believe it can be accomplished.
彼らに{来られる|こられる}のは{迷惑|めいわく}だ。
Their coming is a nuisance.
それが{できる|できる}か{否か|いなか}が{重要|じゅうよう}だ。
Whether it can be done or not is what matters.
万が一{来られなかった|こられなかった}ら連絡してください。
Please contact me if by any chance you cannot come.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the single-word potential form with the phrasal ability form.
The potential form of 'kuru' looks identical to the passive form.
Learners use 'o' because they are used to direct objects.
Common Mistakes
するれる
できる
来るれる
来られる
宿題をできる
宿題ができる
来られる (pronounced kirareru)
来られる (pronounced korareru)
できないる
できない
来られないる
来られない
日本語を話せる
日本語が話せる
する事ができる
できる
来れる
来られる
できるを
できるが
来られれる
来られる
できるの
できること
来られるを
来られるが
Sentence Patterns
___ができます。
明日___来られますか？
___ができないので、困っています。
もし___なら、来られます。
Real World Usage
明日来られる？
パソコンができます。
持ち帰りができますか？
ここで写真が撮れますか？
誰でも参加できます！
ご対応いただけますでしょうか。
Particle Check
Pronunciation
Natural Speech
Ra-nuki
Smart Tips
Use the potential form for brevity.
Use 'korareru' for availability.
Avoid 'ra-nuki'.
Always check for 'ga'.
Pronunciation
Potential stem
Always use 'ko' for 'kuru' potential.
Rising
来られる？↗
Questioning availability.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Suru becomes Dekiru (Do-Can-Do), Kuru becomes Korareru (Come-Can-Come).
Visual Association
Imagine a 'Do' sign turning into a 'Can' sign. Imagine a person walking (Kuru) suddenly sprouting wings (Korareru).
Rhyme
Suru to Dekiru, Kuru to Korareru, potential forms are easy to tell.
Story
Taro wanted to do his homework (Suru). He realized he could do it (Dekiru). Then he invited his friend to come (Kuru). His friend said, 'I can come!' (Korareru).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 things you can do and 3 things you can't do today.
Cultural Notes
The 'ra-nuki' (dropping 'ra') is common in casual speech but frowned upon in formal writing.
Use 'koto ga dekiru' or honorifics instead of simple potential forms.
Some dialects have unique potential forms.
The potential form evolved from the classical 'ru' suffix attached to the imperfective stem.
Conversation Starters
明日、何ができる？
日本語で何が話せる？
パーティーに誰が来られる？
この仕事はいつまでにできる？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
私は日本語が___。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
明日来れる？ (Is this formal?)
明日来る。
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
テニス___できる。
明日、___。
明日 / 来られる / か / ?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises私は日本語が___。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
明日来れる？ (Is this formal?)
明日来る。
Match: 1.する 2.来る
テニス___できる。
明日、___。
明日 / 来られる / か / ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesCan you come tomorrow?
[が] [できます] [テニス] [私|わたし] [は]
Match the pairs:
Select the casual/modern potential form of 'kuru'.
{予約|よやく}が____。
{宿題|しゅくだい}をできた。
I can't come today.
Match the context:
[できない] [接続|せつぞく] [が] [ネット]
Which potential form should you use with a teacher?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Potential verbs describe a state of ability, not an action on an object.
Yes, it is grammatically correct for all verbs, but less natural.
It is common in casual speech but 'korareru' is the standard form.
Use 'dekimasu' or 'koraremasu'.
Use 'dekita' or 'korareta'.
Only 'suru' and 'kuru' are truly irregular in this way.
No, potential is for actions/abilities.
Yes, but often with honorifics.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Poder + infinitive
Spanish uses an auxiliary; Japanese uses a single conjugated word.
Pouvoir + infinitive
Japanese potential is a single verb form.
Können
German uses a modal verb.
能 / 会
Chinese uses modal verbs.
يستطيع
Arabic uses a separate verb.
Potential form
The particle shift from 'o' to 'ga' is unique to Japanese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
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