GE01 · Ability: potential form
Goal: say what you can do (6 example sentences).
Before you start
The sentences use words you already know, up to the elementary level, and assume basic grammar.
What you learn
〜が 〜られます／〜えます
The potential form says what you can do. -ru verbs change る to られる (たべられます); the others move their last syllable to the e row (のむ → のめます, はなす → はなせます). する → できます, くる → こられます. What you can do usually takes が: にほんごが はなせます.
Examples
- にほんごが はなせます。nihongo ga hanasemasu.I can speak Japanese.
- しんぶんが よめます。shinbun ga yomemasu.I can read the newspaper.
- テニスが できます。tenisu ga dekimasu.I can play tennis.
- あした こられますか。ashita koraremasu ka.Can you come tomorrow?
- コーヒーが のめません。koohii ga nomemasen.I can't drink coffee.
- やまに のぼれますか。yama ni noboremasu ka.Can you climb the mountain?
Practice
Two rounds: first you pick what each sentence means; then you complete it with the missing form.
Reading in context
A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.
At a job interview:
「えいごが はなせますか」「はい、はなせます」
"eigo ga hanasemasu ka" "hai, hanasemasu"
Can the candidate speak English?
Translation
"Can you speak English?" "Yes, I can."