Abilme

Abilme is a term used in Turkish linguistics to refer to the noun form that expresses ability or possibility. It reflects how Turkish encodes capability by forming a noun from a verb through a combination of the potential suffix -ebil- and the nominalizer -me, yielding expressions such as yapabilme “the ability to do” or görebilme “the ability to see.” The concept focuses on general capacity rather than a single instance of performing an action.

Formation and usage: The potential suffix -ebil- attaches to a verb stem to indicate possibility or capability, and the suffix -me converts the resulting form into a noun. Thus, from yap- (to do) one derives yapabil- (able to do) and yapabilme (the ability to do). In Turkish grammar descriptions, abilme is used to analyze how speakers talk about skills, capacities, and potential actions. The related adjectives and phrases, such as yapabilir (able to do) and yapabilme yeteneği (ability to do), show how this morphological pattern functions in different syntactic roles.

Examples: Common examples include “yapabilme” (the ability to do something) and “görebilme” (the ability to see). A sentence might read: Bu beceride yapabilme yeteneğimiz gelişti, indicating an enhanced capacity to perform the action. Abilme often appears in academic or instructional contexts to discuss general competencies rather than concrete, one-off performances.

Relation and scope: Abilme is a specialized linguistic term primarily used in Turkish grammar and language pedagogy. It parallels the English concept of “ability” and relates to broader Turkish nominalization patterns with -me/-ma. Cross-linguistically, it illustrates how languages encode potential and capability through derivational morphology.