🚨 Korean Emergency Numbers and What to Do

Learning how to say “I can” or “I can’t” is essential when speaking any language. In Korean, there are two common ways to express ability or inability: -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 and 못하다. Let’s break down how to use them and when to choose one over the other!

📘 Table of Contents

• 1. Sentence Structure
• 2. Using -(으)ㄹ 수 있다
• 3. Using 못하다
• 4. Difference Between the Two
• 5. Practical Examples
• 6. 💡 Did You Know?
• 7. 🎓 Want to Learn More Korean?

1. 🧱 Sentence Structure

Both expressions attach to the verb stem and form a separate meaning:

• -(으)ㄹ 수 있다: can do something
• 못하다 / -지 못하다: can’t do something

They are often interchangeable, but the nuance differs slightly. Let’s look into each one in detail.

2. ✔ Using -(으)ㄹ 수 있다

This form literally means “there is a way to do something” or “I am able to.” It is more objective and polite.

예문:
저는 수영할 수 있어요. (jeoneun suyeonghal su isseoyo) – I can swim.

내일 만날 수 있어요? (naeil mannal su isseoyo?) – Can we meet tomorrow?

3. ❌ Using 못하다 or -지 못하다

못하다 is a more casual and commonly used form to say you “can’t” do something, usually due to lack of ability or external circumstances.

예문:
저는 피아노를 못 쳐요. (jeoneun pianoreul mot chyeoyo) – I can’t play the piano.

지금은 통화하지 못해요. (jigeumeun tonghwahaji motaeyo) – I can’t talk on the phone right now.

4. 🆚 Difference Between the Two

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다	못하다
Polite and formal	Casual and spoken
Focus on possibility	Focus on inability or restriction
Common in written language	More used in conversation

5. 🗣 Practical Examples

• 이 요리는 제가 할 수 있어요. (I can make this dish.)
• 오늘은 운동을 못 했어요. (I couldn’t exercise today.)
• 저는 일본어를 읽을 수 있어요. (I can read Japanese.)
• 그 사람은 운전하지 못해요. (He can’t drive.)

6. 💡 Did You Know?

💡 In Korean elementary schools, 1st graders learn swimming, jump rope, and hula hooping as part of PE. Korean children commonly say “할 수 있어요!” ("I can do it!") to cheer themselves on. It’s a popular phrase in kids’ shows and education materials.

7. 🎓 Want to Learn More Korean?

Practice speaking about your abilities in real-life scenarios with a native tutor! From “I can speak Korean” to “I can’t eat spicy food,” you’ll master the expressions through personalized lessons.

👉 Book a class with me on italki – Let’s level up your Korean!

Related Posts