「泳げる(およげる、oyogeru)」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 swim” or “be able to swim.” 「泳ぐ(およぐ、oyogu)」and「泳げる」are different verbs in Japanese.
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When you do not know how to use the conjugation, please learn about it in our conversation lessons or our mail support. In our mail support, we check your Japanese every time. If you have an internet connection and a PC/smartphone, you can learn Japanese with us all over the world.
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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 swim/(will) be able to swim
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Dictionary & Plain Form | 泳げる | oyogeru |
| ます & Polite Form | 泳げます | oyogemasu |
「辞書形 (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 (ます form)」is the polite form of a dictionary form. The term is also for non-native Japanese speakers.
Mitsuharu-kun can swim 25 meters using the front crawl.
光晴君はクロールで25メートル泳げる。(Plain Form)
光晴君はクロールで25メートル泳げます。(Polite Form)
It’s sunny today so we can swim in the pool.
今日は晴れたので、プールで泳げる。(Plain Form)
今日は晴れたので、プールで泳げます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: cannot swim/be not able to swim
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 泳げない | oyogenai |
| Polite Form | 泳げません | oyogemasen |
I can’t swim 100 meters.
私は、１００メートル泳げない。(Plain Form)
私は、１００メートル泳げません。(Polite Form)
・私は、１００メートル泳げません。I can’t swim 100 meters.
・私は、１００メートルは泳げません。I can’t swim 100 meters.
・私は、１００メートルも泳げません。I can’t swim 100 meters.
By the way, these sentences are often translated as “I can’t swim 100 meters.” However, the meaning of these Japanese sentences are a bit different. If you do not know the details, please learn about it in our private lessons or mail support.
The sea is rough so we can’t swim today.
海が荒れていて、今日は泳げない。(Plain Form)
海が荒れていて、今日は泳げません。(Polite Form)
Conditional Form of a Potential Verb
Conditional form is「仮定形」in Japanese.
English Meaning: if (subject) can swim/(will) be able to swim
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 泳げれば | oyogereba |
If I can swim 50 meters in 18 seconds, I’ll be the best in the world.
５０メートルを１８秒で泳げれば、世界一になれる。(Plain Form)
５０メートルを１８秒で泳げれば、世界一になれます。(Polite Form)
If I could swim, I could have rescued that cat…
私が泳げれば、あの猫を救出できたのに…。(Non-honorific Language)
私が泳げれば、あの猫を救出できたのですが…。(Honorific Language)
We do not use「…」in formal writing. In this case, it indicates a sad feeling that the person could not save the cat.
Imperative Form
「可能動詞 (potential verbs)」do not have an imperative form.
A Related Verb
「泳ぐ(およぐ、oyogu)」is a verb related to「泳げる」. If you want to learn about it, please check out this page:
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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