[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"pubgrp:kg-l-su-itda:ko:en":3},{"type":4,"slug":5,"title":6,"level":7,"goal":8,"image_path":9,"is_locked":10,"is_daily_free":10,"formula":11,"gloss":8,"desc":14,"desc_audio":9,"voices":15,"examples":16,"fills":53,"choices":54},"grammar","kg-l-su-itda","-ㄹ 수 있다 (Can \u002F Possible)","intermediate","Expressing ability and possibility with (으)ㄹ 수 있다\u002F없다",null,false,[12,13],"Verb stem + (으)ㄹ 수 있다\u002F없다","V-ㄹ 수 있다 (possibility\u002Fability), V-ㄹ 수 없다 (inability\u002Fimpossibility)","In English, we use \"can\" or \"be able to\" for both **ability** (skill) and **possibility** (circumstance), treating them as one concept. Korean, however, makes a crucial distinction through `ㄹ 수 있다` (literally \"have the means to\"), which emphasizes the **structural capacity** or **potential** to do something, rather than proven skill.\n\nThe key difference is **how the action flows into possibility**. English thinks: \"I can swim\" = \"I have the skill.\" Korean thinks: \"swimming is something I have the potential\u002Fmeans to do\" (`수` = means\u002Fway). The `ㄹ` ending creates a **hypothetical or conditional frame** — it's not \"I am able,\" but rather \"it is possible that I would\u002Fcould do X.\" This subtle shift reflects Korean's preference for describing **what is possible within conditions** rather than what you personally possess as a skill.\n\nAnother critical insight: `ㄹ 수 있다` often carries a **latent or unrealized potential**. When English speakers say \"I can speak French,\" it sounds definitive. But `프랑스어를 할 수 있어요` in Korean leans toward \"French is something I have the capacity to do\" — whether you're actively doing it or not. The structure itself contains this sense of **potential capacity**, making it perfect for describing **new possibilities, permissions, and circumstances that enable action**, not just fixed abilities.\n\nGrammatically, the verb stem takes the `ㄹ` future modifier (called prospective aspect), which turns the action into a noun-like idea that `수` (way\u002Fmeans) can hold. It's like saying \"the way of doing X is possible\" — a more abstract, possibility-focused framing than English's direct \"ability.\"",[],[17,23,29,35,41,47],{"en":18,"ko":19,"ko_audio":20,"audio":21,"audios":22},"저는 한국어를 말할 수 있어요.","I can speak Korean. (The possibility for me to speak Korean exists.)","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Ftrans_audio\u002Fb57e54c9-bb24-43bb-ac1c-d45970822c0d.mp3","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Fblock_audio\u002F84e74dab-55e8-46ea-a7ea-b3d08d2bb1f8.mp3",{},{"en":24,"ko":25,"ko_audio":26,"audio":27,"audios":28},"이 문제는 너무 어려워서 풀 수 없어요.","This problem is too difficult, so it's impossible to solve. (No solution-possibility exists due to difficulty.)","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Ftrans_audio\u002F5f543a3e-72e6-49ba-a973-4cb4e98b61c5.mp3","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Fblock_audio\u002F31085f53-8bb1-4625-8c92-ac8a6a813c65.mp3",{},{"en":30,"ko":31,"ko_audio":32,"audio":33,"audios":34},"내일 날씨가 좋으면 야외에서 운동할 수 있을 거예요.","If the weather is good tomorrow, it will be possible to exercise outdoors. (The circumstance allows it.)","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Ftrans_audio\u002F2490bae3-bf94-4bb8-b5cf-8acd5a6489d8.mp3","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Fblock_audio\u002Fe6a4eb14-f72d-4527-8c29-4cfb8a8afc4d.mp3",{},{"en":36,"ko":37,"ko_audio":38,"audio":39,"audios":40},"지금 은행이 문을 닫았으니까 돈을 인출할 수 없어요.","The bank is closed now, so it's impossible to withdraw money. (The situation prevents it.)","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Ftrans_audio\u002Fb3d10706-72e5-4d6f-9687-6ed777d58d38.mp3","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Fblock_audio\u002Fbfd30858-e301-424f-a2ed-a162d6104659.mp3",{},{"en":42,"ko":43,"ko_audio":44,"audio":45,"audios":46},"그 영화는 온라인으로 볼 수 있나요?","Is it possible to watch that movie online? (Does the possibility exist?)","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Ftrans_audio\u002F413af6a0-c5df-4c8b-8a0e-f881b9b9f072.mp3","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Fblock_audio\u002Fbe0b0881-f557-4c77-bc26-90500e5bc8ab.mp3",{},{"en":48,"ko":49,"ko_audio":50,"audio":51,"audios":52},"너무 피곤해서 더 이상 일을 할 수 없어요.","I'm too tired, so I can't work anymore. (My state prevents further action.","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Ftrans_audio\u002Fad5f42c2-6cfc-4765-bfb3-2f3a8a47ca14.mp3","https:\u002F\u002Fpub-96bedcbbfd0f4e5d82c4505745cced9c.r2.dev\u002Fblock_audio\u002Fbcb53c92-a4a1-4bd9-ae41-8596d11ef057.mp3",{},[],[55,65,74],{"ko":56,"options":57},"What does the `수` in `(으)ㄹ 수 있다` literally refer to?",[58,61,63],{"t":59,"ok":60},"A number or a way\u002Fmeans",true,{"t":62,"ok":10},"A spoken sound",{"t":64,"ok":10},"The subject's capability",{"ko":66,"options":67},"Why would a Korean speaker say `날씨가 추워서 수영할 수 없어요` rather than focusing on personal ability?",[68,70,72],{"t":69,"ok":10},"Because weather is a stronger barrier than personal choice",{"t":71,"ok":60},"Because Korean emphasizes the circumstantial situation\u002Fstate that enables or prevents an action, not the subject's capacity",{"t":73,"ok":10},"Because Korean doesn't have words for personal ability",{"ko":75,"options":76},"Which English sentence best captures the meaning of `이 일은 혼자 할 수 없어요`?",[77,79,81],{"t":78,"ok":10},"I don't have the skill to do this work alone.",{"t":80,"ok":60},"This task is impossible to do alone. (The situation\u002Fcircumstances don't allow solo completion.)",{"t":82,"ok":10},"I choose not to do this work alone."]