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N2
〜得る／〜得ない
Meaning
Attached to the conjunctive form of a verb, expresses the possibility that something can happen. A literary expression used as in 「あり得る」「起こり得る」. The affirmative is usually read うる, while the negative is read えない. 「〜得ない」 expresses that there is no such possibility at all.
Examples
- この計画は十分に実現し得る This plan can well be realized.
- 津波は今後も起こり得る Tsunamis can still occur in the future.
- 彼が裏切るなんて、あり得ない Him betraying us is impossible.