-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 Can / Cannot (ability/possibility)
Core meaning - Can / Cannot (ability/possibility)
Form - Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 없어; Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 없어요; Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다; Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 있어; Stem + (으)ㄹ 수 있어요
Usage - Focus on the highlighted segment in each example; surrounding words can change while the pattern function stays the same.
Use this pattern for its grammatical function, not as a literal word-by-word translation.
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
Consonant + 을 수, vowel + ㄹ 수
- 먹다 → 먹을 수 있다
- 가다 → 갈 수 있다
수 있다 vs 수 없다
- 수 있다 = can, able to
- 수 없다 = cannot
못 하다 also means "can't"
I can speak Korean.
Can I take photos here?
I cannot drive.
Can you come tomorrow?
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