Expresses ability.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ✔️ Can | V + koto ga dekiru | oyogu koto ga dekiru |
| ❌Can’t | V + koto ga dekinai | oyogu koto ga dekinai |
The potential form (see verb forms) is better suited for common speech.
泳ぐことができる。
Oyogu koto ga dekiru.
I can swim.
Expresses permission.
| Meaning | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ✔️ Can (allowed) | V (te) + mo ii | itte mo ii |
| ❌ Can’t (prohibited) | V (te) + wa ikenai | itte wa ikenai |
| ❌ Can't (casual) | V (te) + cha ikenai | itcha ikenai |
行ってもいい。
Itte mo ii.
You can go.
ここでタバコを吸ってはいけない。
Koko de tabako o sutte wa ikenai.
You must not smoke here.
行っちゃいけない。
Itcha ikenai.
You can’t go. (not allowed)
Expresses obligation or constraint.
| Meaning | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ✔️ Have to | V (nai stem) + nakereba naranai | ikanakereba naranai |
| ✔️ Have to (casual) | V (nai stem) + nakya ikenai | ikanakya ikenai |
| ❌ Don’t have to | V (nai stem) + nakute mo ii | ikanakute mo ii |
行かなければならない。
Ikanakereba naranai.
I have to go.
行かなくてもいい。
Ikanakute mo ii.
You don’t have to go.
Expresses an advice or a recommendation.
| Meaning | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ✔️ Should | V (past casual) + hō ga ii | itta hō ga ii |
| ❌ Shouldn’t | V (nai) + hō ga ii | ikanai hō ga ii |
- Softer than “must”
- Stronger than a simple suggestion
行ったほうがいい。
Itta hō ga ii.
You should go.
行かないほうがいい。
Ikanai hō ga ii.
You shouldn’t go.
もっと勉強したほうがいい。
Motto benkyō shita hō ga ii.
You should study more.
Expresses possibility.
| Meaning | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ✔️ May / Might | V + kamo shirenai | kuru kamo shirenai |
| ❌ Might not | V (nai) + kamo shirenai | konai kamo shirenai |
- More casual: kamo (drop shirenai)
彼は来るかもしれない。
Kare wa kuru kamo shirenai.
He may come.
彼は来ないかもしれない。
Kare wa konai kamo shirenai.
He might not come.
雨が降るかもしれない。
Ame ga furu kamo shirenai.
It might rain.