能う

• 読み: あたう
• ローマ字: atau
• 漢字の分解: 能 (nō/ata) — ability, talent, skill
• 発音: /a.ta.ɯ/

意味

To be able to do; to be capable of doing. A literary verb expressing ability or possibility.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb that is archaic and highly literary. In modern Japanese it survives primarily in the set phrase 能う限り (as much as possible) and the negative form 能わない (unable to). Rarely used in casual speech but appears in formal writing and literature.

例文

1. 能う限りの努力をした結果、合格できた。
2. その美しさは言葉では表し能わない。
3. 能うならばもう一度やり直したい。

使い方ガイド

場面: literature, formal writing, set phrases

トーン: literary

起源と歴史

From Classical Japanese, where 能ふ was a common verb meaning to be capable. The kanji 能 depicts a bear (representing strength and skill) and has deep roots in Chinese philosophy regarding innate talent and ability.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Educated