95742
One day a friend of mine told me my usage of 合える人 is grammatically incorrect
but when I check on the internet, I see we can use the potential form with 合う.

I want to say that I can potentially get along with a person.

Why is it wrong? Which rule am I breaking?
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2022-08-09T04:50:03.543
95740
2022-08-09T14:48:25.197
15674
question
usage idioms potential-form
気が合う人 is correct but why can't I say 気が合える人？ Why is using the potential form wrong?
(According to web searches,) there is a distinction called [意志動詞 and
無意志動詞](http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/nifongo/1h93fy/ishi.html). The former
denotes the verbs that express voluntary actions.

The rule is that there is no potential form for 無意志動詞, which 合う in 気が合う
belongs to.

For comparison, 分かり合う is a voluntary action, so 分かり合える is fine.

(Another confusing element may be the English "get along", which may well be
understood as a voluntary action.)

* * *

Another example may be instructive (partially from the link above).

  * 医者になる → 医者になれる
  * 春になる → ~~春になれる~~

To be a doctor is something one does at her own will, but the coming of spring
is not. Hence the difference.
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2022-08-09T14:48:25.197
95742
2022-08-09T14:48:25.197
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95740
answer