Potential Verb「言える(いえる、ieru)」and the Conjugation | can say/tell, be able to say/tell

「言える(いえる、ieru)」is a verb that is classified as a「可能動詞 (かのうどうし、kanō dōshi、potential verb)」. It means “can say/tell” or “be able to say/tell.”「言う(いう、iu)」and「言える」are different verbs in Japanese.

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Vocabulary Video

Before you learn the conjugations, please learn about the pronunciation of the verb in dictionary and polite forms.

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Dictionary Form/ます Form of a Potential Verb

As you know, English tenses are roughly divided into present, future, and past tenses. However, it is said that Japanese tenses consist only of “Past Tense” and “Non-Past Tense.” Therefore, we used “Dictionary Form,” not “Present Tense” in this heading.
Japanese people use two types of language. One is “non-honorific language” and the other is “honorific language.” When we focus on these languages, “dictionary” and “plain” forms are in “non-honorific language.” “Polite form” is in honorific language.

English Meaning: can say/tell, (will) be able to say/tell

「辞書じしょ形けい (dictionary form)」is the original form. The technical term is for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.「ます形けい (ます form)」is the polite form of a dictionary form. The term is also for non-native Japanese speakers.

I can tell my opinions freely in this company.

この会社かいしゃでは、意見いけんを自由じゆうに言いえる。(Plain Form)
この会社では、意見を自由に言えます。(Polite Form)

I can tell my girlfriend everything.

私わたしの彼女かのじょには、全すべてを言いえる。(Plain Form)
私の彼女には、全てを言えます。(Polite Form)

I can finally tell my parents the truth.

やっと親おやに本当ほんとうのことを言える。(Plain Form)
やっと親に本当のことを言えます。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: cannot say/tell, not be able to say/tell

I can’t always tell the truth.

いつも本当ほんとうのことが言いえない。(Plain Form)
いつも本当のことが言えません。(Polite Form)

I can’t tell Koike-san my true feelings.

小池こいけさんには本音ほんねが言いえない。(Plain Form)
小池さんには本音が言えません。(Polite Form)

I can’t tell my girlfriend my true feelings.

彼女かのじょに本音ほんねを言えない。(Plain Form)
彼女に本音を言えません。(Polite Form)

Conditional Form of a Potential Verb

Conditional form is「仮定形かていけい」in Japanese.

English Meaning: if (subject) can say/tell, (will) be able to say/tell

If you can tell your true feelings, you’ll feel a bit lighter.

本音ほんねを言いえれば、気持きもちが軽かるくなるはず。(Plain Form)
本音を言えれば、気持ちが軽くなるはずです。(Polite Form)

I wish I could tell you how I really feel…

本当ほんとうの気持きもちが言いえればいいのに…。(Plain Form)
本当の気持ちが言えればいいのですが…。(Polite Form)

Imperative Form

「可能かのう動詞どうし (potential verbs)」do not have an imperative form.

A Related Verb

「言いう(いう、iu)」is a verb related to「言いえる」. If you want to learn about it, please check out this page:

Verb Conjugation「言う (いう、iu)」say, will say/tell, will tell | Learn Japanese Grammar

Japanese verbs have conjugations.「言う (いう、iu)」is a verb and means “say” or “will say.” It also can be translated as “tell” depending on the sentence. We will teach you the conjugation on this page. You can also learn example sentences using verb conjugations.

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To Learn Correct Verb Conjugations

Japanese verb conjugation is too complicated and there are many learners who use it incorrectly. Therefore, we provide lessons and services where we teach and correct your Japanese daily. If you want to know more about the details, please check out our website.
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