Can / Can't

Question 1

Verb stem + 을/ㄹ 수 있어요

Answer 1

“I can (do something)” (used to say you ‘can’ do a verb)

Comes from Verb stem + 을/ㄹ 수 있다

If the verb stem already ends in ㄹ, simply add 수 있다 and conjugate.

수 means “ability”, so 할 수 있다 literally means “the ability to do (하다) exists”.

You may also find particles (such as 도 and 만) or Markers used after 수 in the form “수(particle/Marker) 있다”. These can be used for emphasis to add meaning, but are not required.

Question 2

Verb stem + 을/ㄹ 수 없어요

Answer 2

“I can’t (do something)” (used to say you ‘cannot’ do a verb)

Comes from Verb stem + 을/ㄹ 수 없다

If the verb stem already ends in ㄹ, simply add 수 없다 and conjugate.

수 means “ability”, so 할 수 없다 literally means “the ability to do (하다) doesn’t exists”.

You may also find particles (such as 도 and 만) or Markers used after 수 in the form “수(particle/Marker) 없다”. These can be used for emphasis to add meaning, but are not required.