れる

Etymology
From, which followed and attached to the  of , , and  verbs; from.

During the later stages of the language, as with other shimo nidan verbs, the original  was gradually lost as the   came to be used for both functions, realigning the conjugations. The suffix came to be also used with, the new of  verbs. Finally, the conjugation type of the suffix shifted to, making the modern form.

Suffix

 * : to be able to [verb]
 * : to be able to [verb]
 * : to be able to [verb]
 * : to be able to [verb]
 * : to be able to [verb]
 * : to be able to [verb]
 * : to be able to [verb]
 * : to be able to [verb]

Usage notes

 * Attaches only to the of Group I (godan) verbs and the irregular verb . The result is conjugated like an ichidan verb.


 * The passive form of verbs from other conjugation classes is formed with instead of  except in colloquial speech (see ).


 * In modern Japanese, is no longer used for the potential in godan verbs, a function which is now expressed by the -eru form of godan verbs and by substituting  for  for s-irregular verbs. The result is conjugated similarly.


 * In traditional Japanese grammar, this is a . Morphologically, this is an inflectional suffix whose proper shape is -are- (terminal form -areru), attaching to the stem of consonant-stem verbs.