뜻
Expressing ability or possibility to perform an action.
문화적 배경
The 'Can-Do' Spirit (할 수 있다 {精神|精神}): This phrase became a national motto during the rapid economic development of the 1970s and 80s, emphasizing that through hard work, anything is possible. Modesty in Ability: When complimented on a skill, it is culturally appropriate to downplay your ability using '조금 할 수 있어요' (I can do it a little) even if you are proficient. Indirectness: Using -(으)ㄹ 수 있을 것 같아요 (I think I can) is preferred over a flat 'I can' to avoid sounding overly confident or aggressive. Social Hierarchy: When asking a superior if they can do something, it is more polite to use the honorific -(으)실 수 있나요? to show respect.
The Humility Hedge
Always add '것 같아요' (It seems like) when talking about your own skills to sound more like a native speaker.
Spacing Matters
In the TOPIK writing exam, forgetting the space in '할 수 있다' is a common way to lose points.
뜻
Expressing ability or possibility to perform an action.
The Humility Hedge
Always add '것 같아요' (It seems like) when talking about your own skills to sound more like a native speaker.
Spacing Matters
In the TOPIK writing exam, forgetting the space in '할 수 있다' is a common way to lose points.
Cheering
Use '할 수 있다!' as a cheer for friends who are nervous before an exam or a match.
셀프 테스트
Complete the sentence with the correct form of -(으)ㄹ 수 있다.
저는 한국 음식을 잘 (먹다) _______.
Since the stem '먹' ends in a consonant, we add '을 수 있어요'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct regarding spacing?
Choose the correct one:
There must be a space between the future marker -(으)ㄹ, the bound noun 수, and the verb 있다.
Fill in the blank to complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 오늘 같이 영화 볼까요? 나: 미안해요. 숙제가 많아서 오늘은 (보다) _______.
The speaker is explaining why they cannot watch a movie due to homework.
Match the sentence to the correct nuance.
비가 올 수도 있어요.
The particle '도' adds the nuance of 'might' or 'possibility'.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제저는 한국 음식을 잘 (먹다) _______.
Since the stem '먹' ends in a consonant, we add '을 수 있어요'.
Choose the correct one:
There must be a space between the future marker -(으)ㄹ, the bound noun 수, and the verb 있다.
가: 오늘 같이 영화 볼까요? 나: 미안해요. 숙제가 많아서 오늘은 (보다) _______.
The speaker is explaining why they cannot watch a movie due to homework.
비가 올 수도 있어요.
The particle '도' adds the nuance of 'might' or 'possibility'.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, you can ask '여기 앉을 수 있어요?' (Can I sit here?), but '-해도 돼요?' is more common for asking permission.
'못 해요' is shorter and more common in speech. '할 수 없어요' is slightly more formal or emphasizes the lack of possibility.
Yes, it's a 'bound noun' ({의존 명사|依存 名詞}), meaning it can't stand alone and always needs a verb to describe it.
Use the past tense of '있다': '할 수 있었어요'.
Generally no, it's used with verbs. For adjectives, you'd use '-아/어질 수 있다' (to become...).
Because '수' is a noun, and Korean grammar requires a space between a modifying verb and the noun it modifies.
Yes, in the sense of possibility (e.g., 'It may rain'), but not usually for giving permission.
Use '-(으)ㄹ 수도 없어요'.
Yes, but use the formal '-ㄹ 수 있습니다' or '-기 가능합니다'.
If the stem is '만들다', you just add '수 있다' to get '만들 수 있다'.
관련 표현
-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다
similarTo know how to do something
-(으)ㄹ 수 없다
contrastCannot do something
-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다
builds onMight be able to / It could happen
-기 가능하다
specialized formTo be possible
못 하다
similarCannot do (short form)
