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[Grammar] #8 -ㄹ/을 수 있다 | Mirinae - Korean language learning website

Home > Grammar > [Grammar] #8 -ㄹ/을 수 있다

[Grammar] #8 -ㄹ/을 수 있다

Mirinae
May 29, 2024

can do / can be

-ㄹ/을 수 있다 adds the meaning of “can do” or “can be” to the verb it follows. It expresses the ability to perform an action or the possibility of a state occurring.

dialogue

A: 전화를 받을 수 있어요? Can you talk on the phone?

B: 네, 말씀하세요. Yes, I can.

variants

combines with

: Action verbs & Descriptive verbs

1. -ㄹ 수 있다

: Verb stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ

한국어를 할 수 있어요. (하다 + -ㄹ 수 있다)

I can speak Korean. (ability)

김치찌개를 만들 수 있어요. (만들다 + -ㄹ 수 있다)

I can make Kimchi stew. (ability)

비가 올 수 있습니다. (오다 + -ㄹ 수 있다)

It may rain. (possibility)

2. -을 수 있다

: Verb stems ending in a consonant

김치를 먹을 수 있어요. (먹다 + -을 수 있다)

I can eat Kimchi. (ability)

좀 더 걸을 수 있습니다. (걷다 + -을 수 있다)

I can walk more. (ability)

주말에 사람이 많을 수 있습니다. (많다 + -을 수 있다)

There can be many people on the weekend. (possibility)

practice

1. Pick the correct variant.

만들다 to make

(a) -을 수 있다 (b) -ㄹ 수 있다

2. Complete the sentence.

한국어를 _ _ ___. I can speak Korean.

-ㄹ 수 있어요 / 하다 / -을 수 있어요 / 듣다

3. Unscramble the sentence.

___ ___ __ _ ____. There can be many people on the weekend.

-을 수 있습니다 / 주말에 / -ㄹ 수 있습니다 / 사람이 많다

[answer]
1. (b) 2. 한국어를 할 수 있어요. 3. 주말에 사람이 많을 수 있습니다.

culture

01:21 — “숨겨진 9와 4분의 3엔 함께여야 갈 수 있어” means “We got to be together to get to the hidden 9 and Three Quarters”

03:08 — “칠 수 있어요” means “I can play (Brahms)”

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