Do you know how to say “Earthquake can happen” in Japanese?
For many English speakers learning Japanese, it can feel natural to directly translate “can happen” as “起これる” (おこれる).
However, this translation doesn’t sound correct or natural in Japanese and can even cause misunderstandings.
In this article, we’ll break down why this expression doesn’t work and explore more natural ways to convey possibility for events like earthquakes.
Explanation of Terms:
起こる (おこる): A verb meaning “to happen” or “to occur.” It is typically used for events or situations that take place on their own, such as natural disasters or accidents.
地震 (じしん): This word means “earthquake” in Japanese, and it’s commonly used when discussing natural phenomena that occur independently of human control.
Why “地震が起これる(じしんが おこれる)” is Incorrect
The verb “起こる (おこる)” means “to occur” or “to happen,” so when adding the potential form “-れる,” it changes to “起これる (おこれる),” which might seem to mean “can happen.”
However, this conjugation isn’t used in standard Japanese. Although you might see “起これる(おこれる)” presented as the potential form of “起こる(おこる),” it’s usually from incorrect, non-native sources. Native speakers never use it this way, as certain natural events like earthquakes, rain, or accidents aren’t expressed using the potential form. These events are seen as beyond human control, so Japanese uses phrases that convey possibility or uncertainty instead.
Additionally, if you say “おこれる” to a native speaker, they might think you’re using the word “怒れる (おこれる),” which means “can scold.” This unintended meaning can cause confusion, highlighting why it’s important to avoid using the potential form for events that occur independently of human ability.
Use 〜かもしれない or 〜可能性(かのうせい)がある
To express that something might or could happen, Japanese uses:
- 〜かもしれない (“might/may/could“): This casual phrase is used to express uncertainty, often for speculation.
- 〜可能性がある(〜かのうせいがある) (“there is a possibility of ~“): This is more formal and presents a possibility in an objective manner. 可能性 (かのうせい) means “possibility.”
Correct Examples
- 明日は雪が降るかもしれない。
(あしたは ゆきが ふる かもしれない。)
— It might snow tomorrow. - 明日は雪が降る可能性がある。
(あしたは ゆきが ふる かのうせいが ある。)
— There is a possibility of snow tomorrow.
Incorrect Example
- 明日は雪が降れる。
(あしたは ゆきが ふれる。)
— This doesn’t sound natural in Japanese because “雪が降れる(ゆきがふれる)” suggests that snow has the ability to fall, which doesn’t fit in this context. If you say “ふれる,” natives might think you mean “触れる (ふれる)” (to touch) or “振れる (ふれる)” (can wave/shake), which causes confusion.
〜かもしれない vs. 〜可能性(かのうせい)がある
In English, “can happen” is a common phrase for various events, but Japanese requires more specific grammar for expressing uncertainty or possibility. Here’s how to know which phrase to use:
- Use 〜かもしれない: This is used in casual conversation to express uncertainty about what might happen. It’s often used for speculation or guesswork.
- Use 〜可能性がある(かのうせいがある): This sounds more objective and is used to present the likelihood or possibility of an event, often based on known conditions or factual information.
- For certain natural events or uncontrollable situations, Japanese uses the dictionary form ,e.g. 降る(ふる) or 起こる(おこる), along with possibility phrases, like 〜かもしれない or 〜可能性がある(〜かのうせいがある). Avoid the potential form “降れる(ふれる)” or “起これる(おこれる)” for such events, as it can imply that they have an ability or choice to occur, which doesn’t sound natural.
Incorrect Translations of Other Natural Events or Accidents
Here are other examples where the potential form is incorrect:
1. Incorrect:
- 明日は雪が降れる。
(あしたは ゆきが ふれる。)
— This suggests that snow has the ability to fall, which doesn’t fit.
1. Correct: - 明日は雪が降るかもしれない。
(あしたは ゆきが ふるかもしれない。)
— It might snow tomorrow.
or - 明日は雪が降る可能性がある。
(あしたは ゆきが ふる かのうせいが ある。)
— There is a possibility of snow tomorrow.
2. Incorrect: - 事故が起これる。
(じこが おこれる。)
— This implies that accidents have the ability to happen, which sounds unnatural.
2. Correct: - 事故が起こるかもしれない。
(じこが おこるかもしれない。)
— There might be an accident.
or - 事故が起こる可能性がある。
(じこが おこる かのうせいが ある。)
— There is a possibility of an accident.
3. Incorrect: - 雨が降れる。
(あめが ふれる。)
— This suggests that rain has the ability to fall, which doesn’t fit.
3. Correct: - 雨が降るかもしれない。
(あめが ふるかもしれない。)
— It might rain.
or - 雨が降る可能性がある。
(あめが ふる かのうせいが ある。)
— There is a possibility of rain.
Other Common Mistakes with Potential Forms
1. Incorrect:
- 私が言っている事が分かれる？
(わたしが いっていることが わかれる？)
Explanation: Here, “分かれる (わかれる)” is incorrect, as it suggests the meaning of “別れる (わかれる),” which means “to part” or “to break up.”
1. Correct: - 私が言っている事が分かる？
(わたしが いっていることが わかる？)
— Do you understand what I’m saying?
Explanation : Using 分かる (わかる) for “to understand” is correct here. 分かる is in its dictionary form, and this verb doesn’t have a potential form.
2. Incorrect: - よく聞けますか？
(よく きけますか？)
Explanation: This sentence uses the potential form of 聞く (きく), meaning “to listen/ask,” and it sounds unnatural in this context. It suggests “Can you listen well?” or “Can you ask well?” rather than “Can you hear well?”
2. Correct: - よく聞こえますか？
(よく きこえますか？)
— Can you hear me well?
Explanation : Using 聞こえる (きこえる) for “to hear” is correct in this context. 聞こえる is in its dictionary form, and this verb also doesn’t have a potential form.
Other Example Sentences
- 確かに、そうかもしれない。
(たしかに、そうかもしれない。)
— That might actually be true. - 難しい大学だけど、合格できる可能性はあると思います。
(むずかしい だいがく だけど、ごうかく できる かのうせい は ある と おもいます。)
— It’s a difficult university, but I think there’s a possibility of passing. - 台風が来ているから、停電するかもしれません。
(たいふう が きている から、ていでん する かもしれません。)
— Since a typhoon is coming, there might be a power outage. - そのサイは絶滅してしまう可能性があります。
(そのさい は ぜつめつ してしまう かのうせい が あります。)
— There is a possibility that that rhino will become extinct. - その噂は本当かもしれません。
(その うわさ は ほんとう かもしれません。)
— That rumor might be true. - 彼の言っていたことは正しかったかもしれません。
(かれ の いっていた こと は ただしかった かもしれません。)
— What he said might have been correct. - 犯人は彼らかもしれない。
(はんにん は かれら かもしれない。)
— They might be the culprits. - 犯人はすでに国外に逃走した可能性があります。
(はんにん は すでに こくがい に とうそう した かのうせい が あります。)
— There is a possibility that the culprit has already fled the country. - 竜巻が発生する可能性があります。
(たつまき が はっせい する かのうせい が あります。)
— There is a possibility of a tornado forming. - 奇跡が起こるかもよ。
(きせき が おこる かもよ。)
— A miracle might happen!
Explanation: “かも” is a shortened, casual form of “〜かもしれない”. Adding “よ” at the end of the sentence adds a nuanced tone. “よ” is a particle commonly used in informal conversation to emphasize or add a sense of encouragement, assurance, or excitement. It also implies that you’re sharing information or an opinion you think might interest or reassure the listener.
Summary
Avoid using the potential form with natural events or uncontrollable situations like weather, accidents, or natural disasters. Instead, use 〜かもしれない for casual speculation or 〜可能性がある(〜かのうせいがある) to express possibility in a more objective or formal way. Remember that using the dictionary form with these phrases will sound much more natural to native speakers!