-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다
Used to express whether someone has the ability to do something ('I can swim') or whether a certain action is possible in a given situation ('I can meet you tomorrow').
Summary
Equivalent
Can / Cannot (Ability or Possibility)
Also: 못 (Cannot - adverb for inability) · -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다 (Knowing how to do something)
Example
I can swim. (I have the ability to swim.)
저는 수영을 할 수 있습니다.
Grammar rules
- Attach 'ㄹ 수 있다/없다' to stems ending in a vowel, and '을 수 있다/없다' to stems ending in a consonant.
- Use '있다' for 'can/possible' and '없다' for 'cannot/impossible'.
- When expressing inability due to circumstances, '못' or '-지 못하다' can often be used instead of '-(으)ㄹ 수 없다'.
시간이 없어서 만날 수 없어요. = 시간이 없어서 못 만나요. (I cannot meet because I don't have time.)
Patterns
Verbs (Consonant)
N/A · Verb Stem + 을 수 있다/없다
Verbs (Vowel/ㄹ)
N/A · Verb Stem (drop ㄹ) + ㄹ 수 있다/없다
Example sentences
I can swim. (I have the ability to swim.)
저는 수영을 할 수 있습니다.
I cannot eat spicy food.
매운 음식을 먹을 수 없어요.
I cannot go to the party tomorrow because I'm busy. (Possibility)
내일은 바빠서 파티에 갈 수 없어요.
Conversation
A: Can you speak Korean?
한국어를 할 수 있어요?
B: Yes, I can speak a little.
네, 조금 할 수 있어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct form to express ability/possibility.
Eating.
Reading.