immersionlog
Sign inCreate account

〜得る・〜得ない

can, is possible; cannot, is impossible

Verb ます-stem + 得る (うる / える) · 得ない (えない)

Sign up free to review this point on a spaced schedule.

得る after a ます-stem means something is possible: 事故は誰にでも起こり得る, "accidents can happen to anyone". It's formal and written, and is about possibility in principle rather than personal ability.

The dictionary form can be read うる or える; the other forms always use え: 得ない (えない), 得ます (えます).

The most common word built on it is あり得ない, "impossible, unthinkable", which is everyday slang for "no way!" among young people: あり得ない!

Other useful combinations: 考え得る, "conceivable"; 起こり得る, "could happen". For a person's ability, use the potential form or できる instead.

Examples

  • そんなことはあり得えない。

    That's impossible.

  • 事故じこは誰だれにでも起おこり得うる。

    Accidents can happen to anyone.

  • 考かんがえ得うる方法ほうほうはすべて試ためした。

    I've tried every method I can think of.

  • それは十分じゅうぶんあり得うる話はなしだ。

    That's entirely possible.

  • 彼かれが犯人はんにんだなんて、あり得えないよ。

    Him, the culprit? No way.

Related