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> 日本語 **で** 上手に話せます。
>
> 日本語 **が** 上手にはなせます。

Hello, I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but is it で or が? I know
you're supposed to use で for languages, but this sentence I got from class is
using が。

I'm utterly confused :-(
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2015-12-13T03:09:00.133
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question
particle-が particle-で potential-form
で vs が in 上手に話せます？
The meaning of two sentences is same. で in this case is used as the method of
representing tool and が is used as a postpositional particle of the method of
representing the subject.
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2015-12-13T03:46:59.723
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In this case, the particle で denotes method/means ('by means of', 'with',
'using', etc.) The difference is 'speak _in_ Japanese' vs 'speak Japanese'.

>   * 日本語 **で** 上手に話せます。  
>  One can (speak / talk with someone / say something) well **in** Japanese.
>   * 日本語 **が** 上手に話せます。  
>  One can speak Japanese well. (= One is a good Japanese speaker).
>

When someone says 日本語で話す, it means talking with someone, or saying something,
_using / by means of Japanese_. The speaker usually has some concrete
objective in their mind, and is concerned about whether or not one can [do it
/ say it / talk with them] well _in_ Japanese.

For example, this sentence is OK:

>   * 明日の講演は、日本語で上手に話せると思います。  
>  (literally) As for tomorrow's lecture, I think I can speak well _in_
> Japanese.
>

However, when you're talking about whether or not someone is a good Japanese
speaker in general, 日本語が上手に話せる is much more natural.
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2015-12-13T07:14:11.083
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answer