# られる: can do; potential form > Learn how to use られる, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning can do; potential form, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-rareru/ **られる** means **can do; potential form**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express the N4 idea of “potential form; can do” in natural Japanese. This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to express the N4 idea of “potential form; can do” in natural Japanese, **られる** is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics. ## What does られる mean? Use **られる** when you want to express the N4 idea of “potential form; can do” in natural Japanese. Natural translations include: - potential form - ability or inability - potential form; can do The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on what the grammar point does in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural. ## How to form られる

Ichidan verb stem + られる

来 + られる

Examples of the pattern: - 食たべられる - 見みられる - 来こられる Pay attention to the word form before the pattern. Many JLPT N4 mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form. ## When is られる used? Use **られる** in situations like: - explaining a condition, reason, decision, comparison, or time relationship - making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern - understanding natural Japanese in conversation or reading Tone and register: - neutral unless the grammar itself is marked as casual, humble, honorific, or formal - Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions ## られる example sentences

私わたしは辛からい料理りょうりが食たべられます。

I can eat spicy food.

ability

ここから富士山ふじさんが見みられます。

You can see Mt. Fuji from here.

possibility

明日あした来こられますか。

Can you come tomorrow?

potential

この図書館としょかんで古ふるい本ほんが読よめます。

You can read old books at this library.

ability

忙いそがしくて映画えいがを見みられませんでした。

I was busy and could not watch the movie.

negation

Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: condition, timing, limitation, possibility, decision, politeness, contrast, or emphasis. ## Nuance of られる The key nuance is **potential form; can do in a sentence-specific context**. This matters because **られる** may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, a possibility, a contrast, or a social relationship. For example: - In context, **られる** helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation. - Compared with **ことができる**, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences. ## られる vs ことができる Both **られる** and **ことができる** can appear in related sentences, but they are different.

られる

Ichidan potential form

Direct, natural ability. Common in everyday conversation.

私わたしは辛からい料理りょうりが食たべられます。

I can eat spicy food.

ことができる

Nominalized ability construction

Useful for comparison because learners often mix it up. It may use a different form, tone, or sentence focus.

Compare the form and ask whether the sentence is about timing, condition, ability, decision, contrast, or politeness.

If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English. ## Common mistakes with られる

❌

Using it with the wrong verb, noun, or adjective form.

✅

Check the verb group before attaching られる; this pattern attaches to ichidan stems and 来る.

❌

Confusing it with ことができる because the English translation can look similar.

✅

Read the whole sentence context instead of relying on a one-word translation.

❌

Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence context.

✅

Focus on what られる contributes to the sentence—ability, possibility, or negation.

A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel. ## Is られる on the JLPT?

Yes. られる is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.

Recognize it in reading
Understand its nuance in context
Use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together. ## Practice questions for られる

Write one sentence using the basic pattern.

formation

Change the sentence into polite or casual style if possible.

Compare it with the related pattern from the comparison section.

comparison

Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic. ## Learning path for られる

First, make sure you can form られる without looking at the pattern chart.

Next, compare it with ことができる. Choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.

Finally, add やすい or にくい to see how ease and difficulty interact with ability.

Write one sentence that uses られる in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with a related pattern.

## Related grammar to review next - [ことができる](/blog/n4-koto-ga-dekiru/) — strengthens the contrast between ability, ease, difficulty, and negation. - [やすい](/blog/n4-yasui/) — strengthens the contrast between ability, ease, difficulty, and negation. - [にくい](/blog/n4-nikui/) — strengthens the contrast between ability, ease, difficulty, and negation. - [づらい](/blog/n4-zurai/) — strengthens the contrast between ability, ease, difficulty, and negation. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/) ## Learn られる with Hane If you want to review **られる** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)