得る
Is able to, Can, Possible
Structure
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
Explanation
The る-Verb 得る typically means 'to get' or 'to obtain'. When attached to a verb's stem form, it expresses the idea that something 'is possible' or 'can happen'.
- トップの選手でも、時には新人に負けることはあり得る。Even a top athlete can sometimes lose to a rookie.
- こんなに晴れていても、急に雨が降り得るから、傘を持って行った方がいい。Even though it's so sunny now, it could suddenly start raining, so you'd better take an umbrella.
Whereas できる refers to having the ability to do something, 得る focuses on the possibility that an event could take place or a situation could arise.
Caution
This grammar structure can be read as either える or うる. The うる reading is older and more literary, but it is often preferred to avoid the repetitive 'e-e' sound when a verb's stem ends with an 'e' vowel. For example, 考えうる (kangae-uru) is often favored over 考ええる (kangae-eru).
- 小さな油断が大きな事故になりえる。A small lapse in attention can lead to a major accident.
- 考えうるかぎりの対策はすべて試した。We tried every countermeasure we could think of.
Fun Fact
While 得る is generally more formal and suited for writing than できる, a couple of set expressions with it are very common in daily conversation. The most well-known are あり得る ('possible', 'conceivable') and its negative form, あり得ない ('impossible', 'unbelievable').
- 彼が約束を忘れるなんて、まあ、あり得るかもね。For him to forget a promise... well, I guess it's possible.
- え、明日までにこれを全部やるの？あり得ないよ！What, I have to do all of this by tomorrow? No way!
Examples
どんな人でも間違いは犯し得る。
Anyone can make a mistake.
この技術を使えば、新しい治療法を開発し得るだろう。
Using this technology, it would be possible to develop a new treatment method.
大雪で交通がまひし得る。
Traffic could be paralyzed by the heavy snow.
彼の証言が事件の解決に結びつき得る。
His testimony could possibly lead to the resolution of the case.
現在入手し得る最高の材料を使いました。
We used the best materials that could be obtained at present.
この問題を解き得る人は彼しかいない。
He is the only person who can possibly solve this problem.
人間は時に信じられないほどの力を発揮し得る。
Humans can sometimes demonstrate an unbelievable amount of strength.
調査で明らかにし得た事実はごくわずかだった。
The facts we were able to uncover in the investigation were very few.
努力すれば、夢は実現し得ると信じている。
I believe that if you work hard, your dreams can come true.
些細な口論が大きな問題に発展し得る。
A trivial argument can develop into a big problem.
これは我々が想像し得る最悪のシナリオだ。
This is the worst-case scenario that we can possibly imagine.
彼の説明は誰もが理解し得るほど分かりやすかった。
His explanation was so easy to follow that anyone could understand it.