得ない
Unable to, Cannot
Structure
Explanation
The る-Verb 得る originally means 'to get' or 'to obtain'. When it follows the conjunctive form (stem) of another verb, it expresses possibility, similar to 'can (do)' or 'it is possible to (do)'. When negated to 得ない, this meaning becomes 'cannot (do)' or 'it is impossible to (do)'.
- あんな事故は、普通では起こり得ない。An accident like that could not possibly happen under normal circumstances.
- 彼が嘘をついたなんて、信じ得ません。I just cannot believe that he would lie.
Unlike できない, which indicates a lack of personal ability, 得ない carries a stronger nuance that something is objectively impossible or that there is no chance of it happening.
Caution
得る has two possible readings: える and うる. The reading うる is an older, more literary form that is not typically used in modern spoken Japanese. It is important to remember that うる is never used in the negative; only えない is correct.
- そのような事態は起こりえないと願っています。I'm hoping a situation like that couldn't possibly happen. (Natural Japanese)
- そのような事態は起こりうないと願っています。I'm hoping a situation like that couldn't possibly happen. (Unnatural Japanese)
Fun-fact
While 得る is generally considered more formal and written than できる, some common set phrases use it frequently in casual conversation. The most notable examples are あり得る (possible/conceivable) and あり得ない (impossible/unthinkable).
- 渋滞でバスが遅れることもあり得るよ。It's possible the bus will be late due to traffic.
- あの優しい先生がそんなひどいことを言うなんて、あり得ないよ。There's no way that kind teacher would say such a terrible thing.
Examples
あの怠け者が試験で満点をとるなんて、あり得ない。
It's unbelievable that that lazy person would get a perfect score on the test.
彼の行動は、常識では理解し得ない。
His actions cannot be understood with common sense.
このプロジェクトが失敗することは考え得ない。
The failure of this project is unthinkable.
当時の技術では、その災害を防ぎ得なかった。
With the technology of that time, the disaster could not have been prevented.
彼が約束を破るなんてことは、絶対にあり得ない。
There is absolutely no way that he would break a promise.
全員が満足する解決策など見つかり得ないだろう。
A solution that satisfies everyone is likely impossible to find.
人をだますような行為は、決して許し得ない。
An act like deceiving someone is something that can never be forgiven.
そんな馬鹿げた話はとうてい信じ得ない。
I simply cannot believe such a ridiculous story.
科学と迷信は同じ土俵では語り得ない。
Science and superstition cannot be discussed on the same level.
現在のデータだけでは、その仮説を証明し得ない。
With only the current data, that hypothesis cannot be proven.
彼がもういないという事実は、なかなか受け入れ得ない。
The fact that he is no longer here is something I can't quite accept.
この二つの結果から、そのような結論は導き出し得ない。
From these two results, such a conclusion cannot be drawn.