～が Verb られる JLPT N1 Formal

〜ga Verb rareru

Expresses potential or ability to do something; 'can', 'able to'.

Literary potential form - directly conjugates the verb rather than using ことができる; more natural in writing.

Formation

❶ (Group 1) Verb: 書く -> 書ける / 飲む -> 飲める, etc. ❷ (Group 2) Verb-ます stem + られる (食べる -> 食べられる、見る -> 見られる)

Explanation

The ～が Verb られる grammar pattern generally refers to the potential form of Japanese verbs (i.e., 'can do something'). However, the exact formation depends on the verb group. For most Group 1 (五段) verbs, potential form changes the final -u to -eru (e.g., 書く -> 書ける). For Group 2 (一段) verbs, you often see ～られる (e.g., 食べる -> 食べられる). In English, it translates as 'can' or 'able to'.

Example sentences

彼がこの問題を解けると思いますか？

Do you think he can solve this problem?

Kare ga kono mondai o tokeru to omoimasu ka?
私がその大きな箱を運べるか？

Can I carry that big box?

Watashi ga sono ookina hako o hakoberu ka?
彼が早く走れると思います。

I think he can run fast.

Kare ga hayaku hashireru to omoimasu.
彼女は日本語が話せる。

She can speak Japanese.

Kanojo wa nihongo ga hanaseru.

Ability (Can / Able To)

Verb ることができる JLPT N5