Translation guide
Expressing the ability to eat something, either in terms of physical capability, permission, or edibility.
Expressing that one can eat something, either physically or due to circumstances.
Potential form of 食べる (to eat). Used for general ability or possibility. In casual speech, 食べれる (ら抜き言葉) is common.
私は辛いものが食べられます。
I can eat spicy food.
I'm already full and can't eat any more.
More formal or written expression using ことができる. Emphasizes the ability or possibility.
この薬のおかげで、また普通に食べることができるようになった。
Thanks to this medicine, I can eat normally again.
Colloquial potential form (ら抜き言葉). Very common in casual speech, but considered less formal.
こんなにたくさん、一人で食べれる？
Can you eat this much by yourself?
Asking or stating whether something is edible, safe, or palatable.
The same potential form can also mean 'is edible' or 'can be eaten'. Context distinguishes it from ability.
このキノコは食べられますか？
Is this mushroom edible?
生では食べられないので、火を通してください。
You can't eat it raw, so please cook it.
Noun meaning 'edible' or 'for food'. Often used in compounds like 食用可能 (edible).
Expressing that one is allowed to eat something.
Asking or giving permission to eat. 食べてもいいですか is a common polite request.
このケーキ、食べてもいい？
Can I eat this cake?
冷蔵庫にあるものは何でも食べていいよ。
You can eat anything in the fridge.
Prohibition: 'must not eat' or 'cannot eat' in the sense of not allowed.
手術の前は、何も食べてはいけません。
You must not eat anything before the surgery.
Expressing that one can force oneself to eat, or can eat something despite disliking it or having trouble.
Context and intonation can imply 'I can manage to eat it' even if it's not preferred.
ピーマンは苦手だけど、食べられないことはない。
I don't like green peppers, but I can eat them.
Literally 'manage to eat somehow'. Used when forcing oneself to eat.
食欲はないけど、なんとか食べた。
I had no appetite, but I managed to eat.
The form 食べられる can also be the passive ('to be eaten'). Context usually makes it clear. For ichidan verbs like 食べる, the potential and passive are identical in standard Japanese, but in casual speech the potential often becomes 食べれる (ら抜き).
ケーキが食べられた。
The cake was eaten. (passive) / I was able to eat the cake. (potential)
Both express potential, but ことができる is more formal and explicit. In everyday speech, the potential form (～られる/～れる) is more common. ことができる is often used in writing or when emphasizing the ability itself.
これは食用ですか？
Is this edible?