-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다
Can/cannot
-ㄹ 수 있다/없다 is used to talk about ability or possibility. It's the Korean equivalent of 'can' or 'cannot'.
How It Works
This is a fundamental pattern for expressing ability or possibility. It's formed by attaching -ㄹ/을 수 있다 (can) or -ㄹ/을 수 없다 (cannot) to a verb stem.
Conjugation Rules:
The form depends on whether the verb stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.
1. Verb stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ:
Add -ㄹ 수 있다/없다. For stems ending in a vowel, this adds a ㄹ. For stems already ending in ㄹ, you simply add 수 있다/없다 after the stem.
- 가다 (to go) → 갈 수 있다/없다
- 보다 (to see) → 볼 수 있다/없다
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들 수 있다/없다
2. Verb stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ):
Add -을 수 있다/없다 to the stem.
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 수 있다/없다
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽을 수 있다/없다
Usage:
This pattern can express both physical ability and situational possibility.
Ability:
저는 한국어를 할 수 있어요. (I can speak Korean.)
수영을 할 수 없어요. (I can't swim.)
Possibility:
지금 만날 수 있어요? (Can we meet now?)
오늘은 바빠서 못 가요. 내일은 갈 수 있어요. (I'm busy today so I can't go. I can go tomorrow.)
Examples (6)
- 한국어를 할 수 있어요.
I can speak Korean.
Word by Word: Korean language can do.
- 김치를 먹을 수 있어요?
Can you eat Kimchi?
Word by Word: Kimchi can eat?
- 너무 매워서 먹을 수 없어요.
It's too spicy, so I can't eat it.
Word by Word: Too spicy so cannot eat.
- 이 컴퓨터를 고칠 수 있어요.
I can fix this computer.
Word by Word: This computer can fix.
- 내일 회의에 올 수 있어요?
Can you come to the meeting tomorrow?
This example shows the pattern used for possibility rather than innate ability.
- 운전할 수 있지만 차가 없어요.
I can drive, but I don't have a car.
Word by Word: Can drive but car don't have.
Common Mistakes
Confusing ability/possibility with permission.
Different Meaning여기서 사진을 찍을 수 있어요?Better여기서 사진을 찍어도 돼요?While asking '찍을 수 있어요?' (Can I take a picture?) is understood, it technically asks about the possibility or ability. To ask for permission ('May I...?'), it's more precise to use the -아/어도 되다 pattern.
Using -ㄹ 수 있다/없다 with adjectives.
Different Meaning이 옷이 예쁠 수 없어요.Better이 옷은 안 예뻐요.This pattern is used with action verbs. Using it with descriptive verbs (adjectives) like 예쁘다 (to be pretty) is unnatural for expressing a simple description. To say 'This clothing isn't pretty,' you should use a standard negation like 안.
Learn This First
To express ability, you need conjugation knowledge and understanding of 있다/없다.
Related Patterns
- -지 못하다Cannot
A different way to say 'cannot'.
-지 못하다often sounds slightly more formal or emphatic than-ㄹ 수 없다. For example, '가지 못해요' and '갈 수 없어요' both mean 'I cannot go'. - 안/못Not
못is a shorter, very common way to express inability. It's placed before the verb (e.g., 못 가요).-ㄹ 수 없다is a longer form that can feel a bit softer or more explanatory than a simple못. - -아/어도 되다May, Be Allowed to
Expresses permission ('may' or 'be allowed to'), which is different from ability ('can'). Learners often confuse 'Can I do this?' (ability/possibility) with 'May I do this?' (permission).
- -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다Ability Expressions
Learn when to use 'can do' vs 'know how to do'.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.