得る（うる・える）(possibility)

• Reading: うる・える
• Romaji: uru / eru
• Formation: Verb ます-stem + 得る（うる/える）/ 得ない（えない）
• Kanji breakdown: 得 (gain, obtain)

Meaning

An auxiliary verb attached to the ます-stem expressing that something is possible or conceivable. It means 'can happen' or 'is possible.'

得る (うる/える) attaches to the ます-stem of verbs to express that an action or event is within the realm of possibility. It has two readings: うる is more formal and literary, while える is more common in modern speech. The negative form is 得ない (えない), meaning 'impossible' or 'inconceivable' — ありえない (impossible/no way) is extremely common in everyday speech. Unlike the potential form (できる/Vられる), 得る focuses on whether something is theoretically or logically possible, not on personal ability. It is frequently used in formal analysis, news, and academic contexts: 起こり得る問題 (problems that could occur). The form conjugates as an ichidan verb when read as える.

Examples

1. そのような事態は十分に起こり得る。 Such a situation could well occur.
2. ありえない話だと思った。 I thought it was an impossible story.
3. この計画は成功し得ると確信している。 I am confident this plan can succeed.

Usage Guide

Context: written, formal speech, academic, everyday

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• この地域では地震が起こり得る。
• あり得る選択肢をすべて検討した。
• そんなことはあり得ないと思う。

Don't Say

• 日本語を話し得る。(For personal ability, use 話せる, not 話し得る) → 日本語を話せる。
• ピアノを弾き得ない。(For personal skill, use 弾けない; 得ない is for theoretical impossibility) → ピアノが弾けない。

Origin & History

得る originally means 'to obtain' or 'to gain.' Its use as an auxiliary expressing possibility developed from the idea that an outcome is something one can 'obtain' — i.e., it is attainable or reachable.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal