Grow with Kitty

N が + 可能形 (N ga + kanoukei) — を becomes が with the potential form

When you use the potential form, the object particle を usually changes to が.

Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)

N what the ability is about
replaces を
可能形 potential form

Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)

With a normal verb the object takes を: 日本語を 話します. With the potential form, を usually changes to が: 日本語が 話せます. The reason is simple — the potential form shows ability rather than an action, and what the ability is about is marked with が. You will also hear を and it is not wrong, but が is the standard and the test expects が. Important: only を and が change. Particles like に・で・へ・から stay as they are — 一人で 行けます, 友達に 会えます.

Examples (उदाहरणहरू)

日本語少し 話せます

日本語が 少し 話せます。

nihongo ga sukoshi hanasemasu.

I can speak a little Japanese.

漢字読めません

漢字が 読めません。

kanji ga yomemasen.

I cannot read kanji.

一人で病院へ行けますか

一人で 病院へ 行けますか。

hitori de byouin e ikemasu ka.

Can you go to the hospital alone?

Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)

Question: 1/3

Which is the standard way to put 「車を 運転します」into the potential?

💡 Hint: を → が, and する → できる.

Free Japanese tips by email

New lessons, JLPT / JFT-Basic prep, and tools for Nepali speakers — straight to your inbox. No spam.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.