Lesson16:Talking About What You Can Do “Potential Verb” 「し」「なら」(GENKI1, Lesson13)

This lesson introduces the concept of ability and new ways to link ideas together. By mastering the potential form of verbs, you can clearly communicate your skills and capabilities.

Expressing Ability: The Potential Verb Form

To say that you “can do” something, you use the potential form of a verb. This form is very useful for stating your skills.

Conjugation Rules

The potential form is considered a Group 2 (-ru) verb, so it always ends in る (ru) and is conjugated like one (e.g., to make it negative, you drop the final る and add ない).

The Key Particle Change

When you use a potential verb, the direct object particle usually changes from 「を」 (o) to 「が」 (ga). This is because you are describing your state of being able to do something, rather than the act of doing it.

• Original: 私は 日本語を 話します。 (Watashi wa nihongo o hanashimasu.) – I speak Japanese.
• Potential: 私は 日本語が 話せます。 (Watashi wa nihongo ga hanasemasu.) – I can speak Japanese.

More Examples:

• 私は 漢字(かんじ)が 読めます。Watashi wa kanji ga yomemasu.I can read Kanji.
• 私は 毎日(まいにち) 魚(さかな)を 食べられます。Watashi wa mainichi sakana o taberaremasu.I can eat fish every day.

2. Linking Reasons and Conditions

This lesson introduces two new ways to connect sentences and add context to what you can do.

A. Listing Reasons: Particle 「し」 (shi)

The particle 「し」 is used to list two or more reasons for a situation, suggesting that there are probably other unlisted reasons as well. It’s similar to saying “and” or “not only… but also…”

The structure is: Sentence A (Short Form) し、Sentence B (Short Form) し、[Conclusion]

• この店は安いし、 種類(しゅるい)も多いし、 ここで買います。Kono mise wa yasui shi, shurui mo ooi shi, koko de kaimasu.This store is cheap, and they have many types (of items), so I will buy things here.
• 彼は歌も上手だし、 ピアノも弾けるし、 人気がある。Kare wa uta mo jouzu da shi, piano mo hikeru shi, ninki ga aru.He can sing well, and he can also play the piano, so he is popular. (Note: な-adjectives use だ da before し shi.)

B. Stating a Condition: 「なら」 (nara)

The particle 「なら」 means “if” or “if that is the case” and is used to talk about a condition that is limited to the preceding topic. It often gives a suggestion based on what the listener just said.

The structure is: [Topic] なら、[Suggestion/Conclusion]

• A: 私は 明日 奈良(なら)に 行きます。 (Watashi wa ashita Nara ni ikimasu.) – I’m going to Nara tomorrow.
• B: 奈良 なら、大仏(だいぶつ)を見たほうがいいですよ。 (Nara nara, Daibutsu o mita hou ga ii desu yo.)If it’s Nara, you should see the Great Buddha. (The suggestion is specific to Nara.)
• A: 私は 寿司(すし)が食べたいです。 (Watashi wa sushi ga tabetai desu.) – I want to eat sushi.
• B: 寿司 なら、このレストランが美味しいです。 (Sushi nara, kono resutoran ga oishii desu.)If it’s sushi you’re talking about, this restaurant is delicious.

Putting it All Together: Advanced Ability Sentences

By combining Potential Verbs, 「し」, and 「なら」, you can build complex sentences to offer detailed help and suggestions:

• Combining Ability and Reasons:
  • 日本語: 私は漢字も読めるし、書けるし、日本語のクラス なら 手伝えますよ。
  • ローマ字: Watashi wa kanji mo yomeru shi, kakeru shi, Nihongo no kurasu nara tetsudaemasu yo.
  • English: I can read Kanji, and I can write it too, so if it’s the Japanese class, I can help you.
• Suggesting a Solution Based on a Condition:
  • A: 明日、仕事が終わらないんです。 (Ashita, shigoto ga owaranai n desu.) (My work won’t finish tomorrow.)
  • B: 明日 なら、私は暇だし、手伝うこともできる し、一緒にやりましょう。
  • ローマ字: Ashita nara, watashi wa hima da shi, tetsudau koto mo dekiru shi, issho ni yarimashou.
  • English: If it’s tomorrow, I’m free, and I can even help you, so let’s do it together.
• Ability under a Specific Condition:
  • 日本語: このレストランは安いし、料理も美味しいし、お金があまりない なら ここでも食べられますよ。
  • ローマ字: Kono resutoran wa yasui shi, ryouri mo oishii shi, okane ga amari nai nara koko demo taberaremasu yo.
  • English: This restaurant is cheap, and the food is delicious, so if you don’t have much money, you can still eat here.

Now you can not only state your abilities but also provide detailed reasons and conditions for your suggestions!