Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 1: 1/23

得(え)るIs able to, Can, Possible

Structure

Verb［stem］+ える(1)

Exceptions:
Verb［stem］+ えない(*)
Verb［stem］+ えた(*)
Verb［stem］+ えなかった(*)

(1) うる
(*) For negative, past and negative past forms, only conjugations of える are used

Details

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About 得る・得る

得(え)る is a る-Verb that has the meaning of 'to gain', or 'to acquire'. When attached to the conjunctive form of verbs, it takes on the nuance of 'for (A) to be possible', or 'to be able to (A)'.

Compared to できる, meaning that the potential to do something exists. 得(え)る means something closer to 'there is a possibility that (A) can be done', or 'the possibility to do (A) has been gained'.

Caution

得(え)る may be seen as either える or うる. The primary difference between the two being that うる is a relatively old form that is often seen in literature, and spoken far less frequently than える. Despite this, there is a tendency for うる to be the preferred spoken choice when the kana that appears before it is え, such as 教(おし)える becoming 教(おし)えうる, rather than 教(おし)ええる.

Fun Fact

得(え)る is far more formal/bookish than できる. However, there are several set phrases that are very common in daily speech that use this particular grammar point, such as あり得(え)る 'possible', and あり得(え)ない 'impossible'.

Related

Examples

--:--

    それはあり得(え)る。

    That can be possible!

    その対策(たいさく)は考(かんが)え得(う)る。

    It is possible to consider that countermeasure.

    災害(さいがい)はいつだって起(お)こり得(え)る。

    Disaster can occur at anytime. (there is a possibility that it can occur)

    対応(たいおう)次第(しだい)でストライキは回避(かいひ)し得(え)る。

    A strike can be avoided depending on how it is dealt with.

    耕(たがや)し得(う)る土地(とち)を持(も)っている方(かた)は田植(たう)えができます。

    People who own arable land can plant rice. (can be farmed)

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得る・得る – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • DarkConfidant

    DarkConfidant

    if a verb stem ends with え is it more likely to be うる or am I reading too much into the examples?

  • gyroninja

    gyroninja

    I think you are reading too much into it (though maybe don’t fully trust me since I’m making an informed guess). うる is the classical Japanese reading of 得る so it will be more rare to show up and likely has some set phrases where it appears.

  • simias

    simias

    It may have changed since you commented this but now the entry for 得る does mention:

    Despite this, there is a tendency for うる to be the preferred spoken choice when the kana that appears before it is え

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