Potential form: u-verbs (～える)

Think of this as a capability filter. You take a standard action verb. You apply the potential rule. Now, the verb describes a state of being. It is important to note a big change. Potential verbs actually become ru-verbs. This means they conjugate like taberu or neru. Once you change iku to ikeru, the hard part ends. You can now make it polite easily. Just add masu to get ikemasu. You can make it negative too. It becomes ikenai. It is like upgrading your car. It looks similar but it does much more. Think of it as a grammar power-up.

1. 1Converting u-verbs is surprisingly consistent. Follow these simple steps for success:
2. 2Look at the dictionary form of your u-verb.
3. 3Identify the final syllable sound.
4. 4Change that 'u' sound to an 'e' sound.
5. 5Add ru to the end of the word.
6. 6Let's look at some real examples:
7. 7iku (go) becomes ik + e + ru = ikeru.
8. 8nomu (drink) becomes nom + e + ru = nomeru.
9. 9hanasu (speak) becomes hanas + e + ru = hanaseru.
10. 10matsu (wait) becomes mat + e + ru = materu.
11. 11oyogu (swim) becomes oyog + e + ru = oyogeru.
12. 12Yes, even kau (buy) becomes kaeru. Don't confuse it with the verb for return! Context is your best friend here. It is like a secret code for ability.

Use this form for your personal skills. I can speak Japanese is a classic use. Use it for situational possibilities as well. Can we meet tomorrow? fits perfectly here. It is great for physical limits too. I can't eat more sushi uses the negative. Imagine you are at a job interview. You use this to list your strengths. Or imagine you are at a restaurant. You ask if they can make food spicy. It is a very practical everyday tool. You will hear it at karaoke often. Can you sing this high note? It is everywhere in Japan. It makes you sound like a pro.

Don't use it for natural occurrences. You don't can fall from a tree. You just fall. Avoid it with verbs that imply ability. wakaru (to understand) is a prime example. Saying wakareru means to be able to separate. That is a totally different vibe! Also, don't use it for knowing people. Stick to shitte iru for that. It is for actions you actively control. If the wind blows, it just blows. It doesn't can blow in this form. Keep it for human actions and possibilities. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Only go when you have control.

The biggest trip-up is the particle o. Usually, verbs take o for the object. But potential verbs prefer the particle ga. Sushi o taberu becomes Sushi ga tabereru. Many native speakers use o casually. Don't sweat it too much in speech. But aim for ga in your exams. Another mistake is over-using koto ga dekiru. It is correct but very formal. It sounds a bit like a robot. In a conversation, nomeru is much smoother. It is like saying I can drink. Koto ga dekiru is like I am capable of drinking. Keep it simple and use the potential form.

You might know the phrase koto ga dekiru. This is the formal cousin of our rule. Use it for complex or long phrases. Then there is the passive form reru. For u-verbs, they look quite different. So you are mostly safe there. But for ru-verbs, they often look identical. Luckily, we are focusing on u-verbs today. Just remember this simple distinction. Potential equals your ability to do things. Passive equals something happening to you. Don't mix them up at dinner. You might say you were eaten! That would be a very awkward meal.