Unlike standard Japanese, there are two types of potential form? depending on the situation: ability potential and situational potential. The ability potential, ようV, is often used with question and negative (the negative form is ようVへん and ようV). The situational potential is the same as in standard Japanese.
Common uses:
Grammar elements:
Kansai vs. Standard:
Formation from standard:
Example:
Ability potential
| Standard | 英語、話せる？ |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | 英語、よう話すか？ |
| English | Can you speak in English? |
| Standard | うちの弟、よう泳がへんねん。 |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | 私の弟、泳げないんだ。 |
| English | My younger brother can't swim. |
| Standard | 足痛いから、走れないよ。 |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | 足痛いよって、よう走らんわ。 |
| English | I can't run because my legs hurt. |
Situational potential
| Standard | それはひみつだから、言えないんだ。 |
|---|---|
| Kansai-ben | それはひみつやから、言えへんねん。 |
| English | I can't tell you because it's a secret. |
Commentary:
The difference between ようVへん and ようVん
While ようVへん is used when the subject is third person (he/she/it), ようVん is mainly used when the subject is first person (I). It should be noted that ようVん can be used with questions when the subject is the second person (you).
Subjectivity with ようV and ようVん
ようVん is used not only with the ability negative potential but also when expressing disgust, blame, and surprise. In the latter case, the よう in ようVん is the same meaning of よく in standard Japanese.
よう言わんわ
The common phrase "よう言わんわ" does not just mean to "not have much to say", but implies that the speaker is strongly disgusted and they have nothing to say about the topic.
*うわき = unfaithful; cheat on someone
When to use V? (potential) へん and V (potential) ん
Only V (potential) へん and V (potential) ん can be used when the speaker wants to do something but they are unable to. ようVへん and ようVん cannot be used in that case.