Pattern: -(으)ㄹ 수 없어요
-(으)ㄹ 수 없어요 (-(eu)ㄹsueop-eo-yo, (eu)ㄹsueopeoyo)
-(으)ㄹ 수 없어요 is used to express impossibility of an action or situation in Korean.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Expression indicating that an action or situation is impossible
When to use
Describing impossible situations, Expressing lack of ability, Denying permission or possibility
The nuance
Attach -(으)ㄹ 수 없어요 to the verb stem to mean 'cannot do ~' or 'it is impossible to ~'. Use -을 수 없어요 if the stem ends with a consonant, and -ㄹ 수 없어요 if it ends with a vowel. Example: 가다 → 갈 수 없어요, 먹다 → 먹을 수 없어요.
내일 회의에 참석할 수 없어요.
nae-il hoe-ui-e cham-seok-hal su eop-eo-yo., nae il hoe ui e cham seok hal su eop eo yo.
The verb stem '참석하' has no final consonant, so '-ㄹ 수 없어요' is used.
이 문제를 해결할 수 없어요.
i mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-hal su eop-eo-yo., i mun je reul hae gyeol hal su eop eo yo.
The verb stem '해결하' has no final consonant, so '-ㄹ 수 없어요' is used.
그는 노래할 수 없어요.
geu-neun no-rae-hal su eop-eo-yo., geu neun no rae hal su eop eo yo.
The verb stem '노래하' has no final consonant, so '-ㄹ 수 없어요' is used.
나는 그 일을 할 수 없어요.
na-neun geu il-eul hal su eop-eo-yo., na neun geu il eul hal su eop eo yo.
The verb stem '하' has no final consonant, so '-ㄹ 수 없어요' is used.
저는 수영할 수 없어요.
jeo-neun su-yeong-hal su eop-eo-yo., jeo neun su yeong hal su eop eo yo.
The verb stem '수영하' has no final consonant, so '-ㄹ 수 없어요' is used.
What does '-(으)ㄹ 수 없어요' mean?
Which is the correct '-(으)ㄹ 수 없어요' form for '가다'?
Which sentence is correct?
