To ask if someone is able or allowed to do something (such as passing through customs or checking an ID), we combine the positive ability form with the Aorist question structure.
First, take the verb root and add the ability suffix: -(y)abil (for back vowels) or -(y)ebil (for front vowels). If the verb root ends in a vowel, add the buffer -y- first (e.g., bekle → bekleyebilir).
Next, add the Aorist suffix -ir. This makes the verb end in -abilir or -ebilir.
Finally, add the separate question particle. Because the verb form always ends in the vowel i, the question particle is always mi.
Asking About Others: "Can he / she / it...?"
For the third person ("he/she/it"), the question particle takes no personal ending.
- Can he/she/it: Verb Root + -(y)abilir / -(y)ebilir mi?
Asking for Permission: "Can I...?" and "Can we...?"
To ask if you or your group are permitted to do something (such as getting a visa at the border), add the first-person endings to the question particle.
- Can I: Verb Root + -(y)abilir / -(y)ebilir miyim?
- Can we: Verb Root + -(y)abilir / -(y)ebilir miyiz?
Making Polite Requests: "Can you...?"
At security checkpoints, you may need to ask someone else to do something. To ask "Can you?" politely or in the plural, add the formal second-person ending -siniz to the question particle.
- Can you (formal/plural): Verb Root + -(y)abilir / -(y)ebilir misiniz?
Asking About Groups: "Can they...?"
When asking if "they" can do something, the plural suffix -ler attaches directly to the verb before the question particle.
- Can they: Verb Root + -(y)abilirler / -(y)ebilirler mi?