can, possible / cannot, impossible

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates possibility or impossibility.

[Verb ます stem] + 得る/得ない

そういうことはあり得る。

Sou iu koto wa arieru.

Such a thing is possible.

そんなことはあり得ない。

Sonna koto wa arienai.

Such a thing is impossible.

Read as える/えない or うる/えない.

～かねる

cannot, hard to, hesitate to

～に違いない

must be ~, no doubt that ~, undoubtedly

～に関して/関する

regarding ~, concerning ~, about ~

～について/つい

about ~, concerning ~

～に伴って/伴い/伴う

along with ~, as ~ (changes)

あり得る is one of the most common uses.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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