Potential form vs Intransitive Verbs


So I was looking at conjugations and I saw that the potential form of
**切る【きる】** is **切れる【きれる】**. However, 切れる【きれる】 is also an intransitive verb.
There are others e.g.

  * 休む【やすむ】＞休める【やすめる】
  * 行く【いく】＞行ける【いける】

So, what's the difference?




Short answer: Verbs like 切れる can have two meanings, the potential one or the
intransitive one. You determine by context.

[code]

    上司が切れた
    
[/code]

In this case, it is clear the boss got mad. It could also be written as キレた.

[code]

    この紐、切れる？
    
[/code]

Here, it should be clear the person is asking "Can this string be cut?". This
meaning can also be written as 〜切ることができる.




Short answer: Verbs like 切れる can have two meanings, the potential one or the
intransitive one. You determine by context.

[code]

    上司が切れた
    
[/code]

In this case, it is clear the boss got mad. It could also be written as キレた.

[code]

    この紐、切れる？
    
[/code]

Here, it should be clear the person is asking "Can this string be cut?". This
meaning can also be written as 〜切ることができる.

