📝 Grammar A2

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다

-(eu)l su itda

Can / to be able to

What it means

Means can or to be able to do something. -ㄹ 수 있다 after vowel stems; -을 수 있다 after consonant stems. The negative is -(으)ㄹ 수 없다 or 못 + verb.

할 수 있어요 often stresses ability or possibility; 못 해요 often stresses current inability. The distinction is subtle but real in natural conversation.

Confusing -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 with -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다. Both translate as can, but -ㄹ 줄 알다 means knowing how (a skill). 수영할 줄 알아요 = I know how to swim (learned skill).

저 한국어로 말할 수 있어요. Jeo hangugeoro malhal su isseoyo. I can speak in Korean.

이 짐을 혼자 들 수 있어요? I jimeul honja deul su isseoyo? Can you carry this luggage by yourself?

내일 도와줄 수 있어요? Naeil dowajul su isseoyo? Can you help me tomorrow?

연습하면 누구나 할 수 있어요. Yeonseupamyeon nuguna hal su isseoyo. With practice, anyone can do it.

When is this used?

할 수 있어요 often stresses ability or possibility; 못 해요 often stresses current inability. The distinction is subtle but real in natural conversation.

What's a common mistake?

Confusing -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 with -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다. Both translate as can, but -ㄹ 줄 알다 means knowing how (a skill). 수영할 줄 알아요 = I know how to swim (learned skill).

Get one free Korean lesson every day — straight to your inbox.

Free forever · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime