得る　（うる・える） (ru uru eru)

Meaning & usage

得る expresses that an event can happen or is possible, often translated as can or -able, and describes a general possibility rather than someone's skill. It attaches to the masu-stem of a verb, as in 起こり得る and あり得る, with the negative form 得ない meaning cannot happen. It has a formal, written tone, and あり得ない is especially common as a fixed expression for something unbelievable or impossible.

Example sentences 3

1. こんなこと、日本にほんでは起おこりえない。

   Such a thing can't happen in Japan.

2. 歯が、あり得ないほど痛い。

   My tooth is giving me unbelievable pain.

3. 君、そんなに運がいいとはあり得ない！

   I can't believe how lucky you are!