Ability: -ebil / -abil
A2
Verbs
The suffix -(y)Abil expresses ability, potential, or possibility. It attaches to the verb stem and follows vowel harmony. The meaning depends on the verb and the surrounding context.
1. Function
-(y)Abil indicates:
• capacity or skill
• external possibility
• feasibility or permission
The suffix does not inflect; tense and personal markers follow it.
2. Forms
The suffix harmonizes with the vowel of the verb stem:
Back vowels (a, ı, o, u) → -abil
Front vowels (e, i, ö, ü) → -ebil
If the stem ends in a vowel, y may occur between the stem and the suffix:
oku → okuyabil-
ye → yiyebil-
ara → arayabil-
If the stem ends in a consonant, no buffer appears:
gel → gelebil-
bak → bakabil-
sev → sevebil-
3. Position in the Verb Structure
-(y)Abil appears immediately after the verb stem and before tense, aspect, and personal endings.
Sequence:
verb stem → -(y)Abil → tense/aspect → personal ending
Examples:
gel-e-bil-ir
yap-a-bil-ecek
oku-y-a-bil-di
ara-y-a-bil-iyor
4. Interaction with Tense
-(y)Abil combines with all tense and aspect markers.
Present:
gelebilir, yapabilir
Future:
yapabileceğim, alabileceksiniz
Past:
yapabildim, görebildik
Continuous:
görebiliyordum, yapabiliyorsunuz
The ability suffix retains its position regardless of tense.
5. Negation
Negation is formed with the negative marker -ma / -me, which surfaces as -ama / -eme according to vowel harmony.
The negative marker precedes -(y)Abil.
Back vowel stems → -ama
Front vowel stems → -eme
If the stem ends in a vowel, y may appear between the negative marker and -(y)Abil.
Sequence:
verb stem → negative (-(a)ma / -(e)me) → -(y)Abil → tense → person
Examples:
• gel-e-me-y-e-bil-ir
• yap-a-ma-y-a-bil-ir
• oku-y-a-ma-y-a-bil-di
• gör-e-me-y-e-bil-ecek
• al-a-ma-y-a-bil-dik
Examples
• Yapabilirim. — I can do it.
• Gelebilirsin. — You can come.
• O görebilir. — He/She can see.
• Biz yapabileceğiz. — We will be able to do it.
• Siz alabilirsiniz. — You can take it.
• Onlar duyabildiler. — They were able to hear.
• Koşamadım ama yürüyebildim. — I could not run, but I was able to walk.
Notes
• The ability marker follows the stem and precedes tense and personal markers.
• The negative marker surfaces as -ama / -eme before -(y)Abil.
• Buffer y appears only with vowel-final stems.
Ability & Possibility (-(y)Abil) – FAQ
Q: What does the suffix -(y)Abil express in Turkish?
A: It expresses ability, capacity, or possibility, depending on the context.
Q: Where does -(y)Abil appear in the verb structure?
A: It appears immediately after the verb stem and before tense and personal endings.
Q: How is negation formed with -(y)Abil?
A: The negative marker -ma/-me comes before -(y)Abil and surfaces as -ama/-eme according to vowel harmony.