What is the difference between できる and 能う?


能う is translated as being able to do something or having capability to do
something. How is its meaning and usage different from できる and potential form
of a verb?




能う is a word mainly used in classical Japanese and
[_kanbun_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanbun). Many native speakers who are
not particularly interested in literature grow up without even knowing this
word until they start to learn classical Japanese at high school.

The meaning of 能う is "to be able", but this was almost always used in its
negative form, 能わず, and meant "not to be able." Examples are found
[here](http://yourei.jp/%E8%83%BD%E3%82%8F%E3%81%9A), although most of them
are classical sentences. ～こと能わず is the most common form which can appear in
stiff fantasy novels and such. For example, 見ること能わず roughly means 見えない.

Unless you are a creative writer who needs to simulate old writings, you
should not be using this word regularly.




能う is a word mainly used in classical Japanese and
[_kanbun_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanbun). Many native speakers who are
not particularly interested in literature grow up without even knowing this
word until they start to learn classical Japanese at high school.

The meaning of 能う is "to be able", but this was almost always used in its
negative form, 能わず, and meant "not to be able." Examples are found
[here](http://yourei.jp/%E8%83%BD%E3%82%8F%E3%81%9A), although most of them
are classical sentences. ～こと能わず is the most common form which can appear in
stiff fantasy novels and such. For example, 見ること能わず roughly means 見えない.

Unless you are a creative writer who needs to simulate old writings, you
should not be using this word regularly.

