Intermediate (JSON) Estimated read: 3 mins

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다

Used to express the ability or inability to do something, or whether a situation/condition makes something possible or not.

Summary

Equivalent

Can / Cannot / It is possible/impossible to

Also: -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다 (Know how to / Not know how to — specifically about skill) · -지 못하다 (Cannot — inability, slightly stronger regret/failure nuance)

Example

I can play the piano, but I can't play the guitar.

저는 피아노를 칠 수 있는데 기타는 못 쳐요.

Grammar rules

  • '-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다' specifically refers to acquired skill: '수영할 줄 알아요' (I know how to swim).
  • '-(으)ㄹ 수 있다' is broader — includes circumstantial ability: '지금은 갈 수 있어요' (I can go now).
  • Both can be used for skill, but '-줄 알다' is exclusively for skill.

Patterns

1

Verbs (Ability / Possibility)

Present · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 있다

2

Verbs (Inability/Impossibility)

Present · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 없다

Example sentences

Verbs (Ability / Possibility) · Present · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 있다

I can play the piano, but I can't play the guitar.

저는 피아노를 칠 수 있는데 기타는 못 쳐요.

Verbs (Inability/Impossibility) · Present · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 없다

I have an appointment tomorrow so I cannot attend the gathering.

내일 약속이 있어서 모임에 참석할 수 없어요.

Verbs (Ability / Possibility) · Present · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 있다

Thanks to this app, I've become able to practise Korean anywhere.

이 앱 덕분에 어디서든 한국어를 연습할 수 있게 됐어요.

Conversation

A: Can you come to the party this Saturday?

이번 주 토요일 파티에 올 수 있어요?

B: Unfortunately I don't think I can go as I have a family event.

아쉽게도 가족 행사가 있어서 갈 수 없을 것 같아요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Choose the correct ability/possibility form.

Can drive.

Cannot attend.