can/cannot, possible/impossible

Intermediate

20-25 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates possibility or impossibility.

[Verb ます-stem] + 得る(える/うる)/得ない(えない)

そのようなことはあり得ない。

Sono you na koto wa arienai.

Such a thing is impossible.

彼の行動は理解し得る。

Kare no koudou wa rikai shiuru.

His behavior is understandable.

得る can be read as える or うる.

～限り

as long as, to the extent, unless

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようになる

come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

あり得ない is very common in everyday speech.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

Study with our comprehensive grammar guides and practice materials.