Learn Turkish · A2
Can and Can't: -abil / -ebil -ebilmek / -eme-
How to say "I can", "I can't" and ask politely: "Can I...?", "Could you...?".
The rule
- "Can": stem + -abil/-ebil (after a vowel -yabil/-yebil) + tense: yüz-ebil-ir-im — I can swim, gel-ebil-ir-im — I can come.
- The negative is different! Not -ebilme, but -ama/-eme: gel-eme-m — I can't come, yüz-eme-z — he can't swim.
- Past: gelebildim — I was able to come, gelemedim — I couldn't come.
- Polite requests: Yardım edebilir misiniz? — Could you help me? Kartla ödeyebilir miyim? — Can I pay by card?
Overview
| konuşabilirim | I can speak |
|---|---|
| konuşamam | I can't speak |
| okuyabilir misin? | can you read (it)? |
| gelebildim / gelemedim | I managed to come / I couldn't come |
| Girebilir miyim? | May I come in? |
Examples
- Türkçe biraz konuşabilirim.I can speak a little Turkish.
- Bugün gelemem, hastayım.I can't come today, I'm ill.
- Biraz yavaş konuşabilir misiniz?Could you speak a bit more slowly?
- Dün uyuyamadım.I couldn't sleep last night.