Is 可能 a productive suffix?


I learnt the phrase 再生可能なエネルギー today. The meaning of 再生可能 is clear, but it
doesn't appear in any dictionaries I've looked at. In this case 可能 is like
adding the suffix '-able' in English.

I wonder if this could be applied more generally. Can I freely add 可能 onto a
word to get the 'word-able' version? If so, what would the grammar
construction be to add it to the different parts of speech? Could you give
some more examples please?




Yes, you can attach 可能 to all suru-verbs (i.e., kango/gairaigo) as long as
doing so makes sense.

  * 施錠可能(な) lockable
  * 検索可能(な) searchable
  * 死亡可能(な) die-able(?)  
(e.g., 死亡可能回数 in life-based games such as _Super Mario_ )

  * 失敗可能イニシャライザ [failable initializer](https://developer.apple.com/swift/blog/?id=17)
  * ペイント可能(な) paintable
  * リサイクル可能(な) recyclable

But note that できる should be the initial choice in many cases. 可能 is used
mainly in technical contexts. It's especially common when naming some concept
(失敗できるイニシャライザ sounds too prose-like as a translation for _failable
initializer_ ).

Related: [What's the difference between 不可能 and
不能?](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/83102/5010)




Yes, you can attach 可能 to all suru-verbs (i.e., kango/gairaigo) as long as
doing so makes sense.

  * 施錠可能(な) lockable
  * 検索可能(な) searchable
  * 死亡可能(な) die-able(?)  
(e.g., 死亡可能回数 in life-based games such as _Super Mario_ )

  * 失敗可能イニシャライザ [failable initializer](https://developer.apple.com/swift/blog/?id=17)
  * ペイント可能(な) paintable
  * リサイクル可能(な) recyclable

But note that できる should be the initial choice in many cases. 可能 is used
mainly in technical contexts. It's especially common when naming some concept
(失敗できるイニシャライザ sounds too prose-like as a translation for _failable
initializer_ ).

Related: [What's the difference between 不可能 and
不能?](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/83102/5010)

