Meaning
Expressing ability or possibility to perform an action.
Cultural Background
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.
Meaning
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.
Test Yourself
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'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises저는 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'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 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'.
Related Phrases
-(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)
