Can / Can't - Yeterlilik Fiili
A1-(y)abil / -(y)ebil
Goal: Say what you can and cannot do, ask for permission or ability, and use the structure with vocabulary and grammar you already know.
1
How do we say "can" in Turkish?
Turkish usually expresses can / be able to with -(y)abil / -(y)ebil added to the verb stem.
gelmek → gelebilmek
to be able to come
gitmek → gidebilmek
to be able to go
konuşmak → konuşabilmek
to be able to speak
okumak → okuyabilmek
to be able to read
2
-abil or -ebil? & Y Bridge
a, ı, o, u
-(y)abil
konuşmak → konuşabilmek
e, i, ö, ü
-(y)ebil
gelmek → gelebilmek
Y Bridge: When the verb stem ends in a vowel, use the y bridge: oku + y + abil → okuyabil, anla + y + abil → anlayabil.
3
Personal forms
Person
Turkish
English
Ben
gelebilirim
I can come
Sen
gelebilirsin
You can come
O
gelebilir
He / She can come
Biz
gelebiliriz
We can come
Siz
gelebilirsiniz
You can come
Onlar
gelebilirler
They can come