Expressing Ability And Inability In Korean ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)

Author
Written byLee Min-jung (이민정)

In Korean, the grammar structure (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 is used to express the ability or inability to do something.

The phrase translates literally as 'is it possible?' or 'is possibility existing?'

Basic Examples

Expressing ability

Can you drive?
Yes, I can drive.

Expressing inability

No, I can't drive.
I can't understand Korean.

Intensifying with 가: (으)ㄹ 수가 있다/없다

You can intensify the expression by adding to it, thereby adding emphasis.

Examples

I really can't swim.
I really can't understand Korean, because Korean people speak very quickly.

Conclusion

The structure (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 is a simple but effective way to express your capabilities or limitations in Korean.

By adding , you can further emphasize the strength of your statement.

  • Share this:
  • Facebook
  • X
Learn how to talk about your skills or lack thereof using (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 and its intensified form with 가.
Subscribe
Get the Korean content that I don't share publicly to your inbox:
🇰🇷 Learn Korean
This online learn Korean resource guide is for anyone who wants to learn the Korean language. My goal is to help you learn Korean grammar and phrases, and share the best Korean resources to help you learn.
Get the Korean content that I don't share publicly to your inbox
SUBSCRIBE:
Korean Language Guide
Lee Min-jung (이민정)
어디든 가치가 있는 곳으로 가려면 지름길은 없다.Learn Korean here.Make sure to subscribe.
© Korean Language Guide, 2024. Contact