■ V-(られ)ます
Meaning: “Can do V” / “Be able to V”
Group 1 (u-verbs): Change the final “u” to the “e” + ます
e.g., 飲[の]む → 飲[の]めます)
Group 2 (る-verbs): Remove る and add られます
e.g., 食[た]べる → 食[た]べられます)
Group 3 (Irregular verbs):
する → できます
来[く]る → 来[こ]られます
This is the potential-form of verbs, used to express ability or possibility.
It replaces the pattern “Vることが できます” for a more concise expression.
When using potential-form, the object marker を changes to が. (e.g., すしを 食[た]べます → すしが 食[た]べられます)
Commonly used to describe what someone can do or what is possible in a given situation.
■ ~ところ
Meaning: “A place where ~” / “The kind of place that ~”
Verb (dictionary-form or potential-form) + ところ
Adjective / Relative clause + ところ
ところ means “place,” and is often qualified by a verb or descriptive phrase before it to explain what kind of place it is.
It’s used to talk about locations associated with specific activities or characteristics.
遊[あそ]べる ところ (a place where you can play)
景色[けしき]が きれいな ところ (a place with beautiful views)
食[た]べ物[もの]が おいしい ところ (a place with delicious food)
買[か]い物[もの]が できる ところ (a place where you can shop)
■ S(plain-form)って聞[き]きました
■ S(plain-form)って言[い]っていました
Meaning: “I heard that S.” / “Someone said that S.”
This casual speech pattern is used to report what you heard from someone else or a source.
って is the informal form of と, which marks quoted speech or information.
聞[き]きました is used when reporting something you heard.
言[い]っていました is used when quoting what someone said.
In casual conversation, you can also end the sentence with just って.
■ 【Interrogative】V-たら いいですか?
Meaning: “What should I do?” / “How should I…?” / “When should I…?” (seeking advice)
This pattern is used to ask for advice or suggestions.
Use it when you’re unsure about what action to take and want the other person’s input.
Common interrogatives include:
– 何[なに]を (What should I…?)
– いつ (When should I…?)
– どこに (Where should I…?)
– どうやって (How should I…?)
The verb is in the たら conditional form, which expresses “if/when (I do something).”
■ V-たほうがいいです
■ V-ないほうがいいです
Meaning: “You should…” / “You’d better not…”
Verb (タ-form) + ほうが いいです → for giving advice to do something
Verb (ナイ-form) + ほうが いいです → for giving advice to not do something
Used when giving stronger or more direct advice.
Suggests that following the advice is in the listener’s best interest.
Stronger than V-ると いい (which gives softer, casual suggestions).