Episode 73 - How to use "potential form" (How to say "can do, can buy, can speak etc.")

from Learn Japanese with Masa sensei! · host Masa Sensei

- Check my video for more details! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fczada6WxZU ========================================================== ~ことができます (Koto Ga Dekimasu):  Formal Potential Form With Verbs If you want to use the potential form with verbs, one way is to use the present tense form of the verb followed by ことができる. This phrase directly translates to “be able to do ~ing,” where the “ing” is the verb being used. Take a look at the following example sentence for a more in-depth explanation.  私は日本語を話すことができます。 watashi wa nihongo wo hanasu koto ga dekimasu Meaning: I can speak Japanese. (ability to speak Japanese) ～ができます (ga dekimasu) : Noun + dekimasu できる can be used in various ways to communicate potential; for example, it can communicate skill or capability when used with a noun.  私はテニスができます。 watashi wa tenisu ga dekimasu Meaning: I can play tennis. (ability to play tennis) Group 1 : Potential form To write 書きます (kakimasu) 書けます (kakemasu) To speak 話します (hanashimasu) 話せます (hanasemasu) To stand 立ちます (tachimasu) 立てます (tatemasu) To drink 飲みます (nomimasu) 飲めます (nomemasu) Group 2 : Potential form To see, look, watch 見ます (mimasu) 見られます (miraremasu) To wear 着ます (kimasu) 着られます (kiraremasu) To eat 食べます (tabemasu) 食べられます (taberaremasu) To answer 答えます (kotaemasu) 答えられます (kotaeraremasu) Group 3 : Potential form To do します (shimasu) できます (dekimasu) To come きます (kimasu) 来られます (koraremasu) 私は日本語が話せます。 watashi wa nihongo ga hanasemasu I can speak Japanese 兄は泳げます。 ani wa oyogemasu My elder brother can swim. 弟は自転車に乗れます。 otouto wa jitensha ni noremasu My younger brother can ride the bicycle. 明日パーティーに行けません。 ashita pa-ti- ni ikemasen I can't go to the party tommorrow. 昨日晩御飯が食べられませんでした。 kinou bangohan ga taberaremasendeshita I couldn't eat dinner yesterday. =============================================== Check out my Youtube Channel! Wanna support me? ===============================================

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 5, 2022

What this episode covers

- Check my video for more details! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fczada6WxZU ========================================================== ~ことができます (Koto Ga Dekimasu): Formal Potential Form With Verbs If you want to use the potential form with verbs, one way is to use the present tense form of the verb followed by ことができる. This phrase directly translates to “be able to do ~ing,” where the “ing” is the verb being used. Take a look at the following example sentence for a more in-depth explanation. 私は日本語を話すことができます。 watashi wa nihongo wo hanasu koto ga dekimasu Meaning: I can speak Japanese. (ability to speak Japanese) ～ができます (ga dekimasu) : Noun + dekimasu できる can be used in various ways to communicate potential; for example, it can communicate skill or capability when used with a noun. 私はテニスができます。 watashi wa tenisu ga dekimasu Meaning: I can play tennis. (ability to play tennis) Group 1 : Potential form To write 書きます (kakimasu) 書けます (kakemasu) To speak 話します (hanashimasu) 話せます (hanasemasu) To stand 立ちます (tachimasu) 立てます (tatemasu) To drink 飲みます (nomimasu) 飲めます (nomemasu) Group 2 : Potential form To see, look, watch 見ます (mimasu) 見られます (miraremasu) To wear 着ます (kimasu) 着られます (kiraremasu) To eat 食べます (tabemasu) 食べられます (taberaremasu) To answer 答えます (kotaemasu) 答えられます (kotaeraremasu) Group 3 : Potential form To do します (shimasu) できます (dekimasu) To come きます (kimasu) 来られます (koraremasu) 私は日本語が話せます。 watashi wa nihongo ga hanasemasu I can speak Japanese 兄は泳げます。 ani wa oyogemasu My elder brother can swim. 弟は自転車に乗れます。 otouto wa jitensha ni noremasu My younger brother can ride the bicycle. 明日パーティーに行けません。 ashita pa-ti- ni ikemasen I can't go to the party tommorrow. 昨日晩御飯が食べられませんでした。 kinou bangohan ga taberaremasendeshita I couldn't eat dinner yesterday. =============================================== Check out my Youtube Channel! Wanna support me? ===============================================

PodParley-generated summary based on available episode metadata and transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

Episode 73 - How to use "potential form" (How to say "can do, can buy, can speak etc.")

0:00 7:53

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

I'm ok

Mar 26, 2026 ·1m

REMIX: Why we over-shop and compulsively acquire, and how to stop, with Dr Jan Eppingstall

Jan 9, 2026 ·61m

REMIX: OCD and hoarding disorder with Jenna Overbaugh

Jan 2, 2026 ·47m

REMIX: Therapy and hoarding disorder - what are the options? With Dr Jan Eppingstall

Dec 26, 2025 ·78m

REMIX: ADHD and hoarding disorder with Professor Sharon Morein

Dec 21, 2025 ·46m

#207 13 actionable pieces of mental health advice from six former podcast guests

Dec 12, 2025 ·53m

Similar Podcasts

MG Show MG Show The MG Show, hosted by Jeffrey Pedersen and Shannon Townsend, is a leading alternative media platform dedicated to uncovering the truth behind today’s most pressing political issues. Launched in 2019, the show has grown exponentially, offering unfiltered insights, comprehensive research, and real-time analysis. With a commitment to independent journalism and factual integrity, the MG Show empowers its audience with knowledge and encourages active participation in the political discourse. French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives. The Small Business Startup School – Business Notes | Financial Literacy | Retail Psychology – For Professionals & Entrepreneurs The Small Business Startup School Inc. Starting or buying a small business? While personal circumstances may vary, business patterns remain timeless. On The Small Business Startup School, we explore strategies, insights, and practical solutions to help entrepreneurs confidently navigate their journey.Hosted by Ola Williams—a retail entrepreneur, fintech founder, and financial coach with over two decades of experience—this podcast marries financial awareness and retail psychology with optimism to deliver actionable takeaways.Join us to learn, grow, and connect as we uncover the keys to business success.Let’s continue to learn together and be encouraged to keep on connecting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Learn Japanese with Masa sensei!?

This episode is 7 minutes long.

When was this Learn Japanese with Masa sensei! episode published?

This episode was published on February 5, 2022.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Learn Japanese with Masa sensei! episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!