🟢 Making Negative Sentences with 안/못 | Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)

Learn how to express ability in Korean using -(으)ㄹ 수 있다. This beginner guide includes grammar explanations, common verbs, and dialogue examples.

Want to say “I can speak Korean”? Let’s learn the Korean grammar pattern -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 to express what you can do!

🎯 Learning Goal

• Understand the structure and usage of -(으)ㄹ 수 있다
• Learn commonly used verbs with this expression
• Practice real-life conversations using “can do” sentences

📚 Table of Contents

• 🧠 Grammar Point
• 💬 Useful Expressions
• 🙋 Practice Dialogue
• 📝 Quick Check Quiz
• 👩‍🏫 Teacher’s Tips
• 🌀 Say What?
• 📌 Did You Know?
• 📝 It’s Your Turn
• 👋 Take a Lesson with Me!
• 💬 Stay Connected

🧠 Grammar Point

Use -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 to say you “can” do something.

Here are 10 common verbs and how to use them:

• 가다 → 갈 수 있다 (gal su itda) – can go
• 오다 → 올 수 있다 (ol su itda) – can come
• 보다 → 볼 수 있다 (bol su itda) – can see
• 먹다 → 먹을 수 있다 (meogeul su itda) – can eat
• 읽다 → 읽을 수 있다 (ilgeul su itda) – can read
• 쓰다 → 쓸 수 있다 (sseul su itda) – can write
• 타다 → 탈 수 있다 (tal su itda) – can ride
• 운전하다 → 운전할 수 있다 (unjeonhal su itda) – can drive
• 사다 → 살 수 있다 (sal su itda) – can buy
• 배우다 → 배울 수 있다 (baeul su itda) – can learn

💬 Useful Expressions

저는 피아노를 칠 수 있어요.
Jeoneun pianoreul chil su isseoyo.
I can play the piano.

영화를 볼 수 있어요.
Yeonghwareul bol su isseoyo.
I can watch a movie.

수영할 수 없어요.
Suyeonghal su eopseoyo.
I can’t swim.

저는 자전거를 탈 수 있어요.
Jeoneun jajeongeoreul tal su isseoyo.
I can ride a bicycle.

🙋 Practice Dialogue

한국어	로마자 발음	영어
A: 요리할 수 있어요?	Yorihal su isseoyo?	Can you cook?
B: 네, 요리할 수 있어요.	Ne, yorihal su isseoyo.	Yes, I can cook.
A: 한국어를 읽을 수 있어요?	Hangugeoreul ilgeul su isseoyo?	Can you read Korean?
B: 조금 읽을 수 있어요.	Jogeum ilgeul su isseoyo.	I can read a little.

📝 Quick Check Quiz

1. What does -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 mean?
   
   Answer

   It means "can" or "be able to."
2. Translate: 저는 운전할 수 있어요
   
   Answer

   I can drive.
3. Make a sentence: “I can swim.”
   
   Answer

   저는 수영할 수 있어요.

👩‍🏫 Teacher’s Tips

 '-(으)ㄹ 수 있다'는 초급 학습자에게 꼭 필요한 표현입니다. 다양한 동사와 함께 많이 연습해 보세요!

“-(으)ㄹ 수 있다” is essential for beginners. Practice with many verbs to get used to the pattern.

🌀 Say What?

“아니”, “그니까”, “저기…” These are filler words Korean people often use at the beginning of sentences, just like “well...”, “um...”, or “you know” in English. They're informal and help buy time while thinking!

📌 Did You Know?

In a 2022 survey by the National Institute of the Korean Language, “운전할 수 있다” (can drive) and “영어 할 수 있다” (can speak English) were the most used expressions with -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 among beginner learners.

📝 It’s Your Turn

• Write 3 things you can do and 1 you can’t.
• Try using the pattern with 5 new verbs.
• Practice a short dialogue with a friend.

👋 Take a Lesson with Me!

If you want to improve your Korean with a native teacher, book a lesson with me on italki!

💬 Stay Connected

Like this post? Bookmark it, leave a comment, or share it with friends who are learning Korean!

Related Posts