diff --git a/10-Input/Classes/Japanese_Synopsis_2025-11-06.md b/10-Input/Classes/Japanese_Synopsis_2025-11-06.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ac3a2f --- /dev/null +++ b/10-Input/Classes/Japanese_Synopsis_2025-11-06.md @@ -0,0 +1,7 @@ +# Japanese Class Synopsis - 2025-11-06 + +This week, we covered the following topics: + +* **Expressing Hope:** We learned how to say "I hope" for ourselves and for others using [[Synthesized-Japanese-Class-Notes#Expressing Hope (〜といいですね / 〜といいんですが)|〜といいですね and 〜といいんですが]]. +* **Expressing "When":** We covered the usage of [[Synthesized-Japanese-Class-Notes#Expressing "When" (〜とき)|〜とき]] to talk about when things happen. +* **Potential Verbs:** A detailed look at how to form and use [[Synthesized-Japanese-Class-Notes#Potential Verbs|Potential Verbs]] to express ability. diff --git a/20-Knowledge/Synthesized-Japanese-Class-Notes.md b/20-Knowledge/Synthesized-Japanese-Class-Notes.md index 06a2885..50a93e0 100644 --- a/20-Knowledge/Synthesized-Japanese-Class-Notes.md +++ b/20-Knowledge/Synthesized-Japanese-Class-Notes.md @@ -69,11 +69,52 @@ Used to express intention or suggestion in a non-polite way. - **Ichidan verbs (ru-verbs):** Replace the final 'る' with 'よう'. (e.g., 食べる → 食べよう) - **Irregular:** する → しよう, くる → こよう -#### Potential Form ("Can do") +#### Potential Verbs +The potential form in Japanese is used to express **ability** or **possibility** (e.g., "can do," "is able to"). Once a verb is in its potential form, it functions grammatically as a **Group 2 (Ichidan) verb**. -- **Godan Verbs (u-verbs):** Change the final "u" sound to an "e" sound. -- **Ichidan Verbs (ru-verbs):** Remove the final る and add られる. -- **Irregular Verbs:** する → できる, くる → こられる +##### 1. How to Form Potential Verbs (Conjugation) + +| Verb Group | Base Form (Dictionary) | Conjugation Rule | Potential Form (Plain) | Example | +| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | +| **Group 1** (Godan/U-verbs) | Ends in a U-row kana | Change the final U-sound to the equivalent **E-sound** and add **る** ($U ightarrow E + る$) | $E-る$ verb | **話す** (hanasu - to speak) $ ightarrow$ **話せる** (hanaseru - can speak) | +| **Group 2** (Ichidan/Ru-verbs) | Ends in **る** (preceded by E or I sound) | Replace **る** with **られる** ($る ightarrow られる$) | $られる$ verb | **食べる** (taberu - to eat) $ ightarrow$ **食べられる** (taberareru - can eat) | +| **Irregular** (する) | **する** (suru - to do) | Special exception | **できる** (dekiru - can do) | | +| **Irregular** (来る) | **来る** (kuru - to come) | Special exception | **来られる** (korareru - can come) | | + +###### 📝 Note: The ら-Drop (ら抜き言葉) +In casual speech, especially for Group 2 verbs, the *ら* (ra) is often dropped. +* **Standard:** 食べられる (taberareru) +* **Colloquial (Non-Standard):** 食べれる (tabereru) + +--- + +##### 2. Key Grammatical Usage: Particle Change + +The most important grammatical rule for potential verbs is the change in the direct object particle. + +###### Particle Change: を (o) $ ightarrow$ が (ga) + +When a transitive verb is put into the potential form, the direct object particle usually changes from **を** (*o*) to **が** (*ga*). + +| Verb Form | Example Sentence | Meaning | +| :--- | :--- | :--- | +| **Non-Potential** | 私は**日本語を**話します。 | I speak Japanese. | +| **Potential** | 私は**日本語が**話せます。 | I **can** speak Japanese. | + +> **Tip:** While **が** is grammatically correct and preferred in formal writing, you may frequently hear **を** used with potential verbs in casual conversation. + +--- + +##### 3. Alternative Expression of Potential + +You can express potential without conjugating the verb into its unique form by using the phrase **~ことができる** (koto ga dekiru), which means "the thing/action of [verb] can be done." + +* **Formula:** Plain Form of Verb + **ことができる** + +| Method | Example | Meaning | +| :------------------- | :----------------------- | :-------------------- | +| **Potential Verb** | 日本語**が** **話せます**。 | I can speak Japanese. | +| **Alternative Form** | 日本語を **話す** **ことができます**。 | I can speak Japanese. | ### Adjective Conjugations