-(y)ebilmek

Being Able to

Level 2

The suffix -(y)ebilmek is the standard way to say 'can' in Turkish. It covers physical ability, logical possibility, and requests for permission.

How It Works

The potential mood -(y)ebilmek is a versatile tool in Turkish. Here is how to construct and use it:

1. Formation:

  • Verb Stem + (y) + E/A + bil + Tense + Person

2. Vowel Harmony:
It follows two-way vowel harmony:

  • Use -abil if the last vowel is back (a, ı, o, u). Example: yap-abil-ir (he/can do).
  • Use -ebil if the last vowel is front (e, i, ö, ü). Example: gel-ebil-ir (he/can come).

3. Buffer Letter:
If the verb stem ends in a vowel, you must use the buffer consonant -y-. Example: oku-y-abil-ir (he can read).

4. Consonant Changes:
A few stems ending in -t, like git- and et-, undergo consonant softening and become -d. Example: gidebilirim (I can go). Most other -t stems do not change, as in at-abil-ir (he can throw).

5. Three Main Meanings:

  • Ability: Yüzebilirim. (I can swim.)
  • Possibility: Yağmur yağabilir. (It might rain.)
  • Permission: Girebilir miyim? (May I enter?)

Note on Negation: In Level 2, remember that the simple negative 'cannot' usually drops the -bil part and uses -(y)eme- instead.

Examples (5)

  1. Piyano çalabilirim.

    I can play the piano.

    Word by Word: Piano play-can-I.

    This demonstrates physical ability or a learned skill.

  2. Yarın kar yağabilir.

    It might snow tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow snow rain-can.

    Here, the pattern expresses a logical possibility.

  3. Soru sorabilir miyim?

    May I ask a question?

    Word by Word: Question ask-can [question] I?

    This is a polite way to ask for permission using the question particle.

  4. Bu kitabı bir günde bitirebilirsin.

    You can finish this book in one day.

    Word by Word: This book-acc one day-loc finish-can-you.

    Shows the use of -ebil with a front-vowel verb stem (bitir-).

  5. Oraya otobüsle gidebiliriz.

    We can go there by bus.

    Word by Word: There-dat bus-with go-can-we.

    Note how 'git-' changes to 'gid-' before the vowel-starting suffix.

Common Mistakes

  • Trying to negate by adding -me to -bil for simple inability.

    Gelebilmem.
    Gelemem.

    To say 'I cannot come,' Turkish drops the 'bil' and uses the -(y)eme- pattern. 'Gelebilmem' is grammatically awkward for simple inability.

  • Harmonizing the 'i' in 'bil'.

    Yapabulmak
    Yapabilmek

    The auxiliary verb 'bil' is fixed. Only the 'a/e' before it changes based on the verb stem's vowels.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-(y)ebilmekLevel 2Being Able to

Learn This First

To learn the 'can/able to' pattern, you need to understand Two-Way Vowel Harmony to choose between -ebil and -abil. You also need to know how to use the buffer consonant -y- for stems ending in vowels. Finally, since -(y)ebilmek acts as a new verb stem, you must be familiar with basic tense conjugation (like the present continuous) to form complete sentences.

Words in This Pattern

-abilmekbilmek