수 / Can

 
3 Sentence Summary of This Lesson:
  • '수 있다/없다' expresses ability or possibility by attaching to a verb's future modifier form (-ㄹ/을).
  • Convert verbs: add '-을' if the stem has batchim, '-ㄹ' if not (예: 먹다 → 먹을 수 있어요).
  • The structure literally means "there is/isn't a way to do something."
 
To express the ability or possibility of something or someone, you can use the noun ‘수’. Once again, it comes before the the verb and is paired with verbs ‘있다’ and ‘없다’.
 
‘수’ means ‘method’ or ‘way’. Adding it in front of a verb or adjective adds the meaning that there is a way to do something or not.
 
Add ‘수’ in front of ‘있다’ and ‘없다’ would essentially mean ‘there is a way to do something’ or not.
 
  • 매운 음식을 먹을 수 있어요. (I can eat spicy food.)
  • 무서운 영화를 볼 수 없어요. (I can’t watch scary movies.)
 
In order to connect the verb to ‘수’, you must change the verb into its ‘future form’ (future modifier), like above.
 
You must review the way on how to convert the verb into the ‘future’ form.
 
  • When the stem has a batchim, use ‘을’: 잡다 → 잡을 (to catch)
  • If not, use ‘-ㄹ’: 사다 → 살 (to buy)
 
That’s it!
 
Try the following exercise.
Complete the following sentences with -ㄹ/을 수 있다 and 없다.
 
  1. 사과를 ________ / ________ . (먹다)
Answer
먹을 수 있어요 / 먹을 수 없어요
 
  1. 공부를 ________ / ________ . (하다)
Answer
할 수 있어요 / 할 수 없어요
 
  1. 수학을 ________ / ________ . (잘하다)
Answer
잘할 수 있어요 / 잘할 수 없어요
 
 
  1. 물을 ________ / ________ . (마시다)
Answer
마실 수 있어요 / 마실 수 없어요
 
  1. 책을 ________ / ________ . (사다)
Answer
살 수 있어요 / 살 수 없어요
 
  1. 내용을 ________ / ________ . (읽다)
Answer
읽을 수 있어요 / 읽을 수 없어요
 
  1. 날씨가 ________ / ________ . (춥다)
Answer
추울 수 었어요 / 추울 수 없어요
 
  1. 주말에도 ________ / ________ . (쉬다)
Answer
쉴 수 있어요 / 쉴 수 없어요
 
  1. 글을 ________ / ________ . (쓰다)
Answer
쓸 수 있어요 / 쓸 수 없어요
 
  1. 주사가 ________ / ________ . (아프다)
Answer
아플 수 있어요 / 아플 수 없어요
 
 
 
 
 
* For more practice exercises, visit the ‘Practice Hub’.
 
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