Odoreru is the Japanese potential verb for ‘can dance’, explained

What does “odoreru” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “odoreru” often to mean ‘can dance’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this potential verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “odoreru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “odoreru”
  • Example #1: how to say “can dance” in Japanese
• Odorenai: the nai form of “odoreru”
  • Example #2: how to say “cannot dance” in Japanese
• Odoremasu: the masu form of “odoreru”
  • Example #3: how to say “can dance” politely in Japanese
• Odoreta: the ta form of “odoreru”
  • Example #4: how to say “could dance” in Japanese
• Odorete: the te form of “odoreru”
  • Example #5: how to say “can dance” in Japanese
• Odorereba: the ba form of “odoreru”
  • Example #6: how to say “if can dance” in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “odoreru”

Let me start with the definition and meanings of “odoreru”.

• odoreru – 踊れる (おどれる) : a potential verb meaning ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’ in Japanese.

The definition and meanings are simple and clear. Then, let me explain how to use this potential verb through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “can dance” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku” to make the subject in the sentence.
• umaku – 上手く (うまく) : one conjugation of the i-adjective, “umai”, which means ‘well’ or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.

This is a typical usage of “odoreru”. In this example, it works together with “umaku” to mean ‘can dance well’ in Japanese. When we want to mean ‘can dance’ in Japanese, anyway, this potential verb is a very good option.

So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “odoreru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “odorenai”.

Odorenai: the nai form of “odoreru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “odorenai”.

• odorenai – 踊れない (おどれない) : the nai form of “odoreru”, which means ‘cannot dance’ or ‘not to be able to dance’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “odorenai” consists of the following two parts:

• odore – 踊れ (おどれ) : one conjugation of “odoreru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
• nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.

From these two parts, we can understand that “odorenai” is literally the nai form of “odoreru” and means ‘cannot dance’ or ‘not to be able to dance’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this nai form through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to say “cannot dance” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
• zenzen – 全然 (ぜんぜん) : an adverb working in a negative sentence to emphasize its meaning. In the example, this works to add the meaning of ‘at all’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “odorenai”. When we want to mean ‘cannot dance’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.

Odoremasu: the masu form of “odoreru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “odoremasu”.

• odoremasu – 踊れます (おどれます) : the masu form of “odoreru”, which politely means ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “odoremasu” consists of the following two parts:

• odore – 踊れ (おどれ) : one conjugation of “odoreru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
• masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “odoremasu” is literally the masu form of “odoreru” and means ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’ politely in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #3: how to say “can dance” politely in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• seito – 生徒 (せいと) : a noun meaning ‘student’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “seito” to make its plural form, “seito tachi”, which means ‘students’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “odoremasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “can dance” politely in Japanese, this form is a good option.

Odoreta: the ta form of “odoreru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “odoreta”.

• odoreta – 踊れた (おどれた) : the ta form of “odoreru”, which means ‘could dance’, ‘was able to dance’, ‘were able to dance’, or such in Japanese.

Grammatically, “odoreta” consists of the following two parts:

• odore – 踊れ (おどれ) : one conjugation of “odoreru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “odoreta” is literally the ta form of “odoreru” and means ‘could dance’, ‘was able to dance’, ‘were able to dance’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #4: how to say “could dance” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese. In the example, this works together with “tachi” to mean ‘they’ in Japanese.
• mo – も : a binding particle making the subject word or the object word in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘too’, ‘also’, or ‘as well’. In the example, this works after “kanojo tachi” to make the subject in the sentence with adding the meaning of ‘too’.

This is a typical usage of “odoreta”. When we want to use the past tense form of “odoreru”, this ta form is the best option.

Odorete: the te form of “odoreru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “odorete”.

• odorete – 踊れて (おどれて) : the te form of “odoreru”, which means ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “odorete” consists of the following two parts:

• odore – 踊れ (おどれ) : one conjugation of “odoreru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “odorete” is literally the te form of “odoreru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “odorete” is very useful when we want to use “odoreru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb with a smooth connection. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #5: how to say “can dance” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• no – の : a case particle used after a noun or pronoun to make its possessive case. In the example, this is used after “boku” to make its possessive case, “boku no”, which means ‘my’ in Japanese.
• imouto – 妹 (いもうと) : a noun meaning ‘little sister’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
• utaeru – 歌える (うたえる) : a potential verb meaning ‘can sing’ or ‘to be able to sing’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “odorete”. In this example, it has the smooth connection with “utaeru”. When we want to use “odoreru” in front of another verb like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.

Odorereba: the ba form of “odoreru”

Lastly, let me explain the definition and meanings of “odorereba”.

• odorereba – 踊れれば (おどれれば) : the ba form of “odoreru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “odorereba” consists of the following two parts:

• odorere – 踊れれ (おどれれ) : one conjugation of “odoreru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
• ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “odorereba” is literally the ba form of “odoreru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “odorereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #6: how to say “if can dance” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• jinsei – 人生 (じんせい) : a noun meaning ‘life’ in Japanese.
• wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “jinsei” to make the object in the sentence.
• motto – もっと : an adverb of degree meaning ‘much’, ‘very’, ‘so’, or such in Japanese. In the example, this works to mean ‘more’ in Japanese.
• tanoshimeru – 楽しめる (たのしめる) : a potential verb meaning ‘can enjoy’ or ‘to be able to enjoy’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “odorereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “umaku odorereba”, which means ‘if you can dance well’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘can dance’, this ba form is a good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained “odoreru” and its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• odoreru – 踊れる (おどれる) : a potential verb meaning ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’ in Japanese.
• odorenai – 踊れない (おどれない) : the nai form of “odoreru”, which means ‘cannot dance’ or ‘not to be able to dance’ in Japanese.
• odoremasu – 踊れます (おどれます) : the masu form of “odoreru”, which politely means ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’ in Japanese.
• odoreta – 踊れた (おどれた) : the ta form of “odoreru”, which means ‘could dance’, ‘was able to dance’, ‘were able to dance’, or such in Japanese.
• odorete – 踊れて (おどれて) : the te form of “odoreru”, which means ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’ in Japanese.
• odorereba – 踊れれば (おどれれば) : the ba form of “odoreru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘can dance’ or ‘to be able to dance’ in Japanese.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.