れる・られる (Potential)To be able, Can (Potential)

Both express potential or ability, like 'can do'. ことができる is more formal and common in writing, e.g. 書くことができる 'can write', while the potential form れる・られる is shorter and used in conversation, e.g. 書ける 'can write'. The meaning is the same, but usage differs by tone and context.

Passive and potential forms have different meanings but can be confusing because some forms overlap. For う-verbs, the forms are distinct. For example, 言われる 'to be said' (passive) vs. 言える means 'can say' (potential). For る-verbs, a form like 食べられる can mean either 'to be eaten' (passive) or 'can eat' (potential), and which is intended must be determined from context.

Both 聞こえる and 聞ける can mean 'can hear,' but differ in nuance. 聞こえる refers to a sound being audible, while 聞ける indicates the ability to hear or listen. For example, a bird chirping nearby would be 聞こえる, but being able to stream a song would be 聞ける.

得る・得る and the れる・られる (Potential) form both indicate possibility or ability, but differ in nuance. れる・られる is used for general ability, as in 話せる 'can speak', and is conversational. 得る is more formal and written-style, and is typically that something is possible or conceivable, like 起こり得る ('It could happen.').

Both 見える and 見られる mean 'can see' (potential form) but their nuances differ. 見える describes something being visible, while 見られる refers to the ability to view something. For example, stars in the sky are 見える, but being able to watch a movie on a streaming service would be 見られる.