할 수 있어요.
hal su isseoyo.
I can do it.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential way to express your abilities, situational possibilities, or to ask for permission in polite Korean society.
- Means: To be able to do something or for something to be possible.
- Used in: Describing skills, checking availability, or asking 'Can I?' in shops.
- Don't confuse: Use this for situational ability; use '-ㄹ 줄 알다' for learned skills.
Explanation at your level:
المعنى
To express capability or possibility of achieving something.
خلفية ثقافية
The 'Can-do spirit' (할 수 있다 정신) is a major part of the national identity, linked to the rapid economic growth of the 1970s. It emphasizes that with enough effort, any goal is achievable. In a Korean office, saying '할 수 있습니다' (I can do it) is often expected when a boss gives a task, even if it seems difficult. It shows a positive and proactive attitude. When asking for a favor, using '할 수 있어요?' is polite, but adding '혹시' (by any chance) makes it even softer and more culturally appropriate. Korean parents and teachers frequently use this phrase to encourage students. It's seen as a way to build self-confidence in a highly competitive environment.
The Magic Word
If you are stuck in Korea and need help, just point and say '할 수 있어요?' with a questioning tone. People will understand you are asking for help or permission.
Don't over-use it for skills
If you say '한국어 할 수 있어요' too confidently, people might start speaking very fast! It's often better to say '조금 할 수 있어요' (I can do a little).
المعنى
To express capability or possibility of achieving something.
The Magic Word
If you are stuck in Korea and need help, just point and say '할 수 있어요?' with a questioning tone. People will understand you are asking for help or permission.
Don't over-use it for skills
If you say '한국어 할 수 있어요' too confidently, people might start speaking very fast! It's often better to say '조금 할 수 있어요' (I can do a little).
Negative Shortcut
Instead of '할 수 없어요', use '못 해요' in 90% of casual conversations. It's faster and sounds more native.
Encouragement
Say '할 수 있어요!' to your Korean friends when they are stressed. It's the best way to show support.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '할 수 있다'.
저는 한국 노래를 ____. (I can sing Korean songs.)
The verb is '부르다'. Since it ends in a vowel, we add '-ㄹ 수 있어요'.
Which sentence means 'I cannot go today'?
Choose the correct negative form.
To say 'cannot', replace '있다' with '없다'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 매운 음식을 먹을 수 있어요? B: 아니요, ____.
'못 먹어요' is the most natural way to say 'I can't eat it' in response to an ability question.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: '여기서 담배를 피울 수 없어요.'
The sentence means 'You cannot smoke here', which is a rule.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Three Pillars of '할 수 있다'
Ability
- • Swimming
- • Speaking Korean
- • Cooking
Possibility
- • Meeting tomorrow
- • Buying a car
- • Going on a trip
Permission
- • Asking for help
- • Borrowing a pen
- • Entering a room
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, it is polite, but '할 수 있습니다' is better for formal reports, and '하시겠습니까?' is better when asking the boss to do something.
'가능해요' is more formal and often used for systems or schedules (e.g., 'Is this date possible?'). '할 수 있어요' is more personal.
Yes, '화장실 갈 수 있어요?' works, but '화장실 가도 돼요?' is more common for permission.
Use '할 수 있었어요'.
Because '수' is a bound noun, and Korean spacing rules require a space before and after nouns.
No, this is for verbs. For adjectives, you would use a different structure like '-아/어질 수 있다' (to become...).
Only if you say it to someone older or of higher status. With friends, it's perfect.
It means 'I have no choice but to do it'. It's an advanced variation.
No, '수' has many meanings in Korean (water, hand, number), but here it means 'method' or 'way'.
Use '절대 할 수 없어요' (I absolutely cannot).
عبارات ذات صلة
할 수 없다
contrastTo be unable to do
못 하다
similarCannot do
할 줄 알다
similarTo know how to do
가능하다
specialized formTo be possible
할 수도 있다
builds onMight be able to / Might do
해내다
builds onTo pull something off
أين تستخدمها
Job Interview
Interviewer: 영어 회화 할 수 있습니까?
Applicant: 네, 비즈니스 영어 할 수 있습니다.
Ordering at a Cafe
Customer: 텀블러 할인 받을 수 있어요?
Staff: 네, 300원 할인해 드릴게요.
Asking for Directions
Tourist: 여기서 남산타워까지 걸어갈 수 있어요?
Local: 네, 하지만 30분 정도 걸려요.
Making Plans
Friend A: 이번 주말에 만날 수 있어?
Friend B: 미안, 주말에는 알바가 있어서 갈 수 없어.
At the Pharmacy
Patient: 이 약, 빈속에 먹을 수 있어요?
Pharmacist: 아니요, 식사 후에 드셔야 해요.
Technical Support
User: 파일을 복구할 수 있을까요?
Technician: 네, 제가 한번 확인해 볼게요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Hal' as 'Help', 'Su' as 'Sue', and 'Isseoyo' as 'Is here'. 'Help Sue is here' -> 'I can help Sue because I am able!'
Visual Association
Imagine a giant key labeled 'SU' (수) opening a door that was previously locked. On the other side of the door is the word 'SUCCESS'.
Rhyme
Hal-su-isseo, don't you miss her? (A bit silly, but the rhythm helps!)
Story
You are at a Korean karaoke bar. You are nervous. Your friend hands you the mic and says 'Hal su isseoyo!' You take a deep breath, realize the 'way' (su) exists, and sing perfectly.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Try to find 5 things you can do today and say them out loud in Korean using '할 수 있어요'. For example: '커피 마실 수 있어요' (I can drink coffee).
In Other Languages
Puedo
Korean distinguishes between situational ability and learned skill more strictly than Spanish.
Je peux
French doesn't have the 'bound noun' logic (the 'way' exists).
Ich kann
German modal verbs change the sentence structure (verb to the end), similar to how Korean grammar attaches to the end.
〜ことができる
Japanese also has a 'potential form' (e.g., taberareru) which is used more frequently than the 'koto ga dekiru' form in casual speech.
أستطيع (Astati'u)
Arabic verbs conjugate for person and gender, whereas Korean grammar is based on the verb stem ending.
能 (néng) / 可以 (kěyǐ)
Korean uses one primary structure where Chinese uses three distinct words.
Eu posso
Korean formality levels (Honorifics) add a layer of complexity that Portuguese lacks.
I can
English 'can' is a modal verb, while Korean '-(으)ㄹ 수 있다' is a descriptive grammatical construction.
Easily Confused
Both are translated as 'can' in English.
Use '할 줄 알아요' for things you learned (like languages or piano). Use '할 수 있어요' for physical ability or situational possibility.
Both can be used for permission.
'해도 돼요' is specifically 'You are allowed to'. '할 수 있어요' is more 'Is it possible for me to?'.
الأسئلة الشائعة (10)
Yes, it is polite, but '할 수 있습니다' is better for formal reports, and '하시겠습니까?' is better when asking the boss to do something.
'가능해요' is more formal and often used for systems or schedules (e.g., 'Is this date possible?'). '할 수 있어요' is more personal.
Yes, '화장실 갈 수 있어요?' works, but '화장실 가도 돼요?' is more common for permission.
Use '할 수 있었어요'.
Because '수' is a bound noun, and Korean spacing rules require a space before and after nouns.
No, this is for verbs. For adjectives, you would use a different structure like '-아/어질 수 있다' (to become...).
Only if you say it to someone older or of higher status. With friends, it's perfect.
It means 'I have no choice but to do it'. It's an advanced variation.
No, '수' has many meanings in Korean (water, hand, number), but here it means 'method' or 'way'.
Use '절대 할 수 없어요' (I absolutely cannot).
