ebilirler

abilirler is a Turkish verb form that marks potential mood with a plural subject. It expresses possibility or ability and is commonly translated as "they can" or "they may." The base suffix for potential is -ebil- (or -abil-), which changes as -ebilir or -abilir due to vowel harmony. The plural subject ending -ler (or -lar) is added after the potential suffix, giving forms such as görebilirler or yapabilirler.

In usage, -ebilir/ -abilir indicates that the action is possible or within the subject’s ability, rather than a definite fact. It can convey present or future possibility and is often used in statements, questions, or conjectures. The form can combine with different subjects: benim, sen, o, biz, siz, onlar, with the corresponding person endings when needed. For example, the base verb may appear as görebilirler (they can see), yapabilirler (they can do), or gelebilirler (they may come). The same potential idea exists in other persons as well: yapabilir(im) (I can do), yapabilir(sin) (you can), yapabilir(iz) (we can), yapabilir(ler) (they can), and so on.

Turkey Turkish learners should note that may express possibility in various nuances: it can indicate ability in a general sense, probability in a given context, or a hypothetical capacity. It is not used to express obligation or a definite future event.

Examples:

Onlar yarın gelebilirler. They may come tomorrow.

Bu yol güvenli; belki de bu ekip gelebilir. Perhaps this team can come.

Görüp göremediğini sorabilir misin? Can you see it? (with appropriate context)