Meaning
Shows that an action is possible or that someone is able to perform it.
Formation
- Group 1: the -i syllable shifts to the -e row plus る: 読みます → 読める
- Group 2: ます → られる (casual れる): 食べます → 食べられる
- Group 3: できる, 来られる (korareru)
- What you can do usually takes が: 日本語が話せます
When to use it
- Core use
- Potential form: can do it
Example
私はひらがなが読めます
I can read hiragana.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.