In Korean, to express ability or possibility — that someone can or cannot do something — we use the grammar pattern ~(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 for "can do" and ~(으)ㄹ 수 없어요 for "cannot do."
This pattern is attached to the verb stem and indicates whether the subject is able to perform the action or not.
1. Take the verb stem.
2. Add ~(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 to say "can do (verb)."
3. Add ~(으)ㄹ 수 없어요 to say "cannot do (verb)."
How to choose ~(으)ㄹ:
- If the verb stem ends in a vowel, add ㄹ.
- If the verb stem ends in a consonant, add 을 (the 받침 ‘을’ is shortened to ‘(으)ㄹ’ in spoken and written Korean).
Structure:
Verb stem + ~(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 / ~(으)ㄹ 수 없어요
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 저는 한국어를 할 수 있어요. | I can speak Korean. |
| 그는 수영을 할 수 없어요. | He cannot swim. |
| 내일 일찍 일어날 수 있어요? | Can you wake up early tomorrow? |
| 이 문제를 풀 수 없어요. | I cannot solve this problem. |
| 우리 같이 영화를 볼 수 있어요. | We can watch a movie together. |
To ask if someone can or cannot do something, simply add the question intonation:
Example:
운전할 수 있어요?
(Can you drive?)
To express ability or possibility in Korean, use:
Verb stem + ~(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 — I/you/he/she/they can do something.
Verb stem + ~(으)ㄹ 수 없어요 — I/you/he/she/they cannot do something.
This pattern is essential for daily conversations when discussing skills, permissions, or possibilities.
Try to make sentences about what you can or cannot do, such as:
- 운동할 수 있어요. (I can exercise.)
- 술을 마실 수 없어요. (I cannot drink alcohol.)
- 한국 음식을 만들 수 있어요? (Can you cook Korean food?)
Now you know how to talk about ability in Korean using ~(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 and ~(으)ㄹ 수 없어요.
Practice with verbs you use daily and get comfortable expressing what you can and cannot do!
화이팅! You’re doing great! 🚀
The word 못 해요 means **can’t do** or **unable to do something**.
It is used to express **lack of ability**, **impossibility**, or sometimes **physical limitation**.
못 is placed **before the verb** to negate the ability to perform the action.
In conversation, this is a very useful pattern to politely say you cannot do something.
못 + Verb stem + 해요 → can’t do / unable to do
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 저는 수영을 못 해요. | I can’t swim. |
| 운전을 못 해요. | I can’t drive. |
| 노래를 못 해요. | I can’t sing. |
| 춤을 못 춰요. | I can’t dance. |
| 한국어를 아직 잘 못 해요. | I can’t speak Korean well yet. |
Use 못 해요 to express that you **can’t do** something.
It is used for skills, actions, and sometimes physical limitations.
Now you know how to use **못 해요** to say you cannot do something in Korean.
This is a polite and useful phrase that will help you talk about your abilities clearly.
Keep practicing and soon you will be able to turn 못 해요 into 잘 해요! 🌟
Happy studying! 화이팅! ✨
The phrase 잘 해요 means **do well** or **be good at something**.
It is used to express that you **have skill** or **are capable** of performing an action well.
You will often hear this when people talk about their **hobbies**, **talents**, or **language skills**.
In conversation, this is a positive and polite way to say that you can do something well.
잘 + Verb stem + 해요 → do well / be good at
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 저는 요리를 잘 해요. | I cook well. |
| 영어를 잘 해요. | I speak English well. |
| 노래를 잘 해요. | I sing well. |
| 춤을 잘 춰요. | I dance well. |
| 그림을 잘 그려요. | I draw well. |
Use 잘 해요 to say you **do something well** or are **good at something**.
It is used with hobbies, talents, languages, and general skills.
Now you know how to use **잘 해요** to describe what you do well in Korean.
This is a great phrase for sharing your hobbies, talents, and strengths with others.
Keep practicing, and you’ll be able to say 많은 것들을 잘 해요! ✨
Happy studying! 화이팅! ✨
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