Verbs · N4
Potential form: can / be able to
Express ability or possibility with verb morphology.
In short
Ichidan verbs commonly change る→られる: 食べる→食べられる. Godan verbs shift the final kana to the e-row + る: 書く→書ける. する→できる and 来る→来られる.
How it works
With potential verbs, what English treats as an object is often marked with が, though を is also found with some potential constructions in modern usage.
Useful contrast
Potential describes ability/possibility; 見える and 聞こえる often describe something being naturally visible/audible rather than an ability you exercise.
Examples
日本語が話せます。
I can speak Japanese.
ここから山が見えます。
The mountain is visible from here.
Common pitfall
Do not confuse ichidan potential 〜られる with passive 〜られる; context and argument structure tell you which function is active.