「お/ご〜になれる」- Potential Form of Honorific Expressions

Explanation

In Japanese, honorific expressions are used to show respect towards others or third parties, often in formal settings or when addressing elders or superiors. The structure 「お/ご〜になれる」 is an important pattern that means "You can..." or "You are able to...".

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
お/ご〜になれる	お/ご + Verb Masu-form + になれる	Indicates that the other person has the ability or is allowed to do something.

Connection Rules:

• 「お」 + Group 1 or Group 2 Verb Masu-form + になれる
• 「ご」 + Group 2 Verb Stem + になれる

Basic Usage

The potential form of honorific expressions 「お/ご〜になれる」 indicates that the other person has the ability or is allowed to do something. For example:

• グリーン車ぐりーんしゃだとゆっくりお座すわりになれます。
• Gurīn-sha da to yukkuri osuwari ni naremasu.
• You can sit comfortably in the Green Car.
  

Deep Dive

Connection Forms

The connection form of 「お/ご〜になれる」 varies depending on the type of verb:

Verb Type	Connection Form	Example
Ichidan Verbs	お + Verb Masu-form + になれる	お食たべになれる（You can eat）
Godan Verbs	お + Verb Masu-form + になれる	お書かきになれる（You can write）
Suru Verbs	ご + Verb Stem + になれる	ご使用しようになれる（You can use）

Usage Scenarios

This pattern is often used in formal settings or professional environments to show respect for someone's actions. For example:

• インターネットいんたーねっとでもお電話でんわでもお申もうし込みになれます。
• Intānetto demo o-denwa demo omōshikomi ni naremasu.
• You can apply either online or by phone.
  

• 入場券にゅうじょうけんはオンラインおんらいんお求もとめになれます。
• Nyūjōken wa onrain omotome ni naremasu.
• You can purchase the admission ticket online.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

Here are some practical examples to help better understand and master the usage of 「お/ご〜になれる」:

• ここのWi-Fiわいふぁい無料むりょうでお使つかいになれます。
• Koko no Wi-Fi wa muryō de otsukai ni naremasu.
• You can use the Wi-Fi here for free.
  

• 館内かんないはどなたでもご利用りようになれます。
• Kannai wa donata demo goriyō ni naremasu.
• Anyone can use the facilities inside the building.
  

• こちらの資料しりょうは自由じゆうにお読よみになれます。
• Kochira no shiryō wa jiyū ni oyomi ni naremasu.
• You can freely read these materials.
  

Notes

When using 「お/ご〜になれる」, it's important to pay attention to the verb connection forms and the usage of certain special verbs. For example:

• 「見る」 → 「ご覧らんらんになれる」
• 「言う」 → 「おっしゃる」

These verbs have specific honorific forms, and the specific forms should be prioritized over 「お/ご〜になれる」.

Summary

「お/ご〜になれる」 is a potential form of honorific expressions in Japanese used to show respect towards others. By understanding its connection forms, usage scenarios, and comparisons with other honorific expressions, you can better master and apply this important Japanese honorific grammar pattern.