-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다
Quick answer: -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다 means can / cannot — ability or possibility.
How to form it
No final consonant → -ㄹ 수 있어요 · final consonant → -을 수 있어요 · 통화하다 → 통화할 수 있어요
In Korean: 받침 X → -ㄹ 수 있어요 받침 O → -을 수 있어요 통화하다 → 통화할 수 있어요
What to know
수 means way or means, so the phrase literally says there is a way to do it. Keep the spaces — 할 수 있어요 is three words, and writing 할수있어요 is a common learner slip.
Examples
- 지금 통화할 수 있어요?Can you talk now?
- 저는 한국어를 읽을 수 있어요.I can read Korean.
- 오늘은 갈 수 없어요.I can't go today.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 1 (TOPIK I), Lesson 21: 지금 통화할 수 있어요? — Can you talk now?. Also in the Level 1 book.
Learned in the same lesson: 못 -.
Practise -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 1, Lesson 21 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.