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.
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.
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.
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.
Is this mushroom edible?
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.
Expressing that one can force oneself to eat, or can eat something despite disliking it or having trouble.
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).
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?
You must not eat anything before the surgery.
I had no appetite, but I managed to eat.