「〜得〜」- Possibility and Ability
Explanation
The grammatical structure 〜得〜 is primarily used to emphasize the possibility or ability of something. It is pronounced as 「える」 or 「うる」 depending on the verb it is attached to, and is commonly found in written or formal contexts.
Grammar Pattern
| Grammar Point | Connection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Stem + 得る | Verb Stem (remove ます) | Indicates the possibility or ability of something. |
| Verb Stem + 得ない | Verb Stem (remove ます) | Indicates the impossibility or inability of something. |
Basic Usage
- Possibility: Indicates that something is possible or can be done.
- Ability: Indicates that someone has the ability to do something.
Examples
宇宙 はこんなにも広 いんだから、宇宙人 の存在 はきっとあり得 る話 だ。- Uchuu wa konna ni mo hiroi n da kara, uchuujin no sonzai wa kitto arieru hanashi da.
- Given how vast the universe is, the existence of aliens is certainly a plausible story.
安価 なネイルは爪 を傷 める原因 になり得 る。- Anka na neiru wa tsume o itameru genin ni nari eru.
- Cheap nail products can potentially damage your nails.
彼 の企 みは到底 実現 し得 ないだろう。- Kare no takurami wa toutei jitsugen shi enai darou.
- His plan is unlikely to be realized.
無償 の愛 なんて存在 し得 ない。- Mushou no ai nante sonzai shi enai.
- Unconditional love cannot exist.
Deep Dive
The usage of 〜得る and 〜得ない in modern Japanese primarily focuses on expressing possibility, with origins tracing back to classical Japanese. Although their frequency of use has declined in modern times, they remain important tools for expressing certain possibilities.
- Possibility: 〜得る is used to indicate that something is possible, often in hypothetical, speculative, or potential contexts.
- Impossibility: 〜得ない is the opposite of 〜得る, indicating that something is impossible.
Real-Life Scenarios
- In academic papers discussing certain theories or hypotheses, 〜得る is used to express possibility.
- In formal reports or speeches, 〜得ない is used to emphasize the impracticality of certain plans or ideas.
Summary
〜得〜 is a highly useful grammatical structure in Japanese, primarily used to express possibility or ability. By understanding its basic structure, usage, and distinctions from similar expressions, one can better master this grammar point and apply it flexibly in real-life communication.