～得る - 得ない
eru enai
Can or cannot possibly happen
Formation 接続
Full formation notes
V stem + 得る／得ない
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation 説明
Expresses theoretical possibility rather than personal ability; 得る is read eru or uru, but 得ない is enai.
Examples 例文
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入力ミスは誰にでも起こり得る。
Data-entry mistakes can happen to anyone.
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今ある証拠だけでは、彼が犯人だとは断定し得ない。
The available evidence alone cannot establish that he is the culprit.
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小さな変更が大きな混乱につながることもあり得る。
A small change can sometimes lead to major confusion.
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この二つの記録が同時に正しいということはあり得ない。
These two records cannot both be correct at the same time.
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彼女の説明は、十分に納得し得るものだった。
Her explanation was entirely plausible.
How related patterns differ 比較
やすい and にくい describe ease or difficulty, usually on a verb stem. 得る expresses possibility rather than skill. 到底～ない strongly denies feasibility. Difficulty and impossibility are not the same judgment.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～得る - 得ない | Can or cannot possibly happen | 入力ミスは誰にでも起こり得る。 Data-entry mistakes can happen to anyone. |
| ～やすい | Easy to; prone to | このペンはすごく使いやすいから、好きです。 I like this pen because it is very easy to use. |
| ～にくい | Difficult to; hard to | この箸は、ちょっと使いにくい。 These chopsticks are a little difficult to use. |
| ～かねない | Might; could unfortunately | そんな態度では、うそをつきかねない。 With that attitude, someone might well tell a lie. |
| ～かねる | Be unable to; find it difficult to | 今は会議の日程を変更しかねます。 We are unable to change the date of the meeting at present. |
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