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  3. (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다

(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다

Expression dictionary — full article

Guessing & Possibility · can / cannot, be able to / be unable to, it is possible / it is impossible

Overview

The grammar pattern (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 is a fundamental expression in Korean used to convey ability, capability, or possibility. It allows speakers to state whether an action can be performed or if a situation can occur. The choice between 있다 (to exist, to be) and 없다 (not to exist, not to be) determines whether the statement is affirmative (can/possible) or negative (cannot/impossible).

Usage

This pattern is attached to the stem of a verb to express two main ideas:

  1. Physical or Mental Ability: It indicates that the subject has the skill, strength, or knowledge to perform a particular action. For example, "I can speak Korean" (한국어를 할 수 있어요).
  2. Situational Possibility: It signifies whether a certain event or action is feasible or permissible given the circumstances. For example, "It's too noisy, so I can't study" (너무 시끄러워서 공부할 수 없어요). The pattern is versatile and widely used in everyday conversation to discuss what is within one's reach or what circumstances allow.

Conjugation Rules

The conjugation depends on the final sound of the verb stem:

  • Verb stem ending in a vowel or the consonant ㄹ: Add -ㄹ 수 있다/없다.
    • 가다 (to go) -> 갈 수 있다/없다
    • 만들다 (to make) -> 만들 수 있다/없다 (Note: The ㄹ is retained)
  • Verb stem ending in a consonant (other than ㄹ): Add -을 수 있다/없다.
    • 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹을 수 있다/없다
    • 읽다 (to read) -> 읽을 수 있다/없다

Knowledge Plus

  • Distinction from -지 못하다: While (으)ㄹ 수 없다 also means "cannot," -지 못하다 often implies a lack of skill or an external obstacle preventing an action, sometimes with a nuance of regret or failure. (으)ㄹ 수 없다 is more neutral, simply stating the impossibility. For example, "저는 수영을 못 해요" (I can't swim - lack of skill) vs. "지금은 수영을 할 수 없어요" (I can't swim right now - perhaps due to time or location).
  • Dependent Noun '수': The '수' in this pattern is a dependent noun meaning "way," "method," or "possibility." It is always preceded by a modifying clause (the verb stem + (으)ㄹ) and followed by 있다/없다. This is why there's a space between (으)ㄹ and 수.
  • Formal vs. Informal: This pattern is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality changes with the ending of 있다/없다 (e.g., 있어요/없어요, 있습니다/없습니다).
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  • Choices & Alternatives

    • 대신(에)

    instead of, in place of, in return for, as compensation for

    -(이)나

    or, either...or, as many as, as much as, at least, (just) any

    V+건

    whether... or..., no matter what/who/where/when/how, regardless of whether...

    V+거나

    or, whether...or..., either...or...

    V+(ㄴ)다든지, (이)라든지

    whether... or..., such as..., for example..., perhaps... or perhaps...

    V+(ㄴ/는)다거나, (이)라거나

    or..., or something like that, whether... or..., such as...

    V+(ㄴ)다든가, (이)라든가

    whether... or..., such as..., or something like that, or whatever.

    V+든가

    or..., why don't you..., how about... Quick Usage: Attaches directly to the verb stem regardless of final consonant or vowel.

    V+느니

    rather than... I'd..., instead of... I'd..., better to... than...

    (으)ㄹ까 말까

    to consider whether to do or not; to be on the fence about; to hesitate whether to

    (으)ㄹ 바에야

    "Rather than...", "If I have to...", "Instead of...", "I'd rather... than...".

    V+(으/느/이)냐고

    "asking if/whether", "wondering if/whether", "reported question ending"
  • Comparison & Degree

    • -보다

    than; compared to

    N+당

    per, for each, a (in the sense of 'per')

    아/어 대다

    keep on ~ing excessively, constantly ~ing, always ~ing (annoyingly), do nothing but ~

    -만큼

    Other Connectives

    (으)ㄹ 정도로

    to the extent that; so much that; so... that; enough to

    V+(으)ㄹ수록

    The more... the more..., As... increases, so does...

    (으)ㄹ 만하다

    worth doing, worth considering, deserving of, good enough to

    N+짜리

    worth, for, of (a certain value/amount), piece (for currency)

    (으)ㄹ 정도이다

    to the extent that, so much that, so... that..., to such a degree that

    V+(ㄴ/는)다기보다는/(이)라기보다는

    Listing and Choice

    N+어치

    Listing and Choice

    처럼

    like, as, similar to

    V+듯이

    just as..., as if..., like..., as...

    -같이

    like, as, as if, similar to

    N+답다

    like a true N, worthy of N, N-like (in a positive sense). Attaches directly to nouns without a particle.

    에 비해(서)/비하면

    Compared to, in comparison with, relative to. Quick Usage: Attaches to nouns. '서' is optional, and '비하면' adds a conditional nuance.

    (으)ㄴ/는 셈이다

    It's like saying..., It amounts to..., It's as good as..., It can be considered...

    아/어 빠지다

    utterly, completely, excessively, too much, to be stuck in (a bad way)

    다시피 하다

    Miscellaneous

    N + 껏

    as much as one can, to one's full extent/capacity, all one's, all the

    V+(으)리만치

    to the extent that, so much so that, to such a degree that
  • Conditions & Hypotheses

    • V+(으)면

    if, when (conditional), whenever

    V+아/어야

    only if, unless (when negative), must (as a condition)

    V+든지

    Regardless of; No matter whether/what/who/where; It doesn't matter if...

    V-(으)려면

    If you want to..., If you intend to..., In order to...

    고 나면

    Once (one) has V-ed, then..., After V-ing, (then)...

    다고/라고 치다

    Let's assume that..., Supposing that..., Even if we say that..., Granting that...

    V+(으)려거든

    If you intend to..., If you want to..., If you're going to..., In order to...

    에 따라(서)

    depending on, according to, based on. Quick Usage: Attaches to nouns or noun phrases, indicating a variable factor.

    V+(ㄴ/는)다면

    If (it were to happen), Supposing that, If it were the case that

    다(가) 보면

    If one keeps doing X, then Y happens; Eventually, by doing X, Y will happen; When you keep doing X, you'll find Y.

    V+다가는

    If you keep V-ing, then...; If you continue to V, you might...; V-ing too much will lead to...

    V+더라면

    If (it) had been...; If (I) had done...

    노라면/느라면

    if one keeps doing X, then Y happens; as one continues to X, Y naturally occurs/is realized
  • Contrast & Concession

    • V+으나

    Although, Even though, But, However, Despite

    V+지만

    but; although; even though

    -(이)라도

    at least, even if it's just, even a, if nothing else

    V+(스)ㅂ니다만

    "..., but..." (polite), "..., however..." (polite), "..., though..."

    에도 불구하고

    Despite, in spite of, regardless of

    V+(으)려다가

    was going to... but then..., intended to... but ended up..., on the verge of... but...

    V+(으)되

    but, however, although, while, provided that, it is said that... but

    는 반면에

    whereas; while; on the other hand; in contrast

    거나 말거나

    Whether or not; Regardless of whether; No matter if.

    V+(ㄴ/는)답시고

    claiming to be/do X, but...; under the pretext of X, but...; trying to X, only to fail/be ridiculed.

    을/를 막론하고

    Regardless of, Irrespective of, No matter (who/what/where/when)

    건 말건

    Whether or not; regardless of whether... or not

    N+(이)랍시고

    claiming to be..., for someone who calls themselves..., under the pretense of being...

    V+아/어도

    even if, even though, no matter how/what

    V+기는(요)

    Not really; Hardly; What do you mean...?; It's not that...; On the contrary.

    V-(으)ㄴ들

    Even if..., No matter how/what..., What good would it do if...?

    V+더라도

    Even if..., No matter how..., Regardless of...

    만 해도

    as recently as, even just, even if only

    아/어 봤자

    It's no use ~ing; What's the point of ~ing?; Even if you ~, it's pointless. [Quick Usage]: Attaches to verb/adjective stems using the 아/어 conjugation form.

    N+(은/는)커녕

    Far from; Let alone; Not to mention; Not even

    V+(으)ㄹ망정 / (으)ㄹ지언정

    Even though, Even if, Although, While it may be true that...

    (으)나 마나

    It's no use; It makes no difference; Pointless; Futile.
  • Conversational Expressions

    • -요

    Polite ending, Informal polite speech, Short polite reply

    V+(ㄴ/는)다

    Plain declarative form; Informal statement ending

    V+(은/ㄴ/는)데

    but, and, so, however, by the way, you know, the thing is...

    V+(으)시

    Honorific marker; (no direct English equivalent, but implies respect for the subject)

    N+님

    Mr./Ms./Mx., Sir/Ma'am, esteemed, respected (suffix)

    V+군(요)/구나/구먼

    Oh, I see!; So it is!; It turns out that...; Wow, it's...

    V+냐

    "Do you...?", "Are you...?", "Will you...?", "Is it...?" (informal question ending)

    V+(으)오/소

    Formal/Archaic Declarative/Interrogative/Imperative/Propositive Ending (하오체 speech level)

    아/어 달라고

    asked me to..., requested that I..., told me to...

    V+로군(요)/로구나/로구먼/로고

    Oh, I see!, How...!, It is indeed..., So it is!

    V+지

    right?, isn't it?, don't you think?, of course

    V-(으)라고 / V-라고

    "told (someone) to...", "said to...", "asked (someone) to...", "said that (someone) should...". Quick Usage: Use -으라고 after a verb stem ending in a consonant, and -라고 after a verb stem ending in a vowel or 'ㄹ'.

    V+(는/ㄴ)다고

    "He said that...", "She stated that...", "They reported that...", "It is said that..."

    (ㄴ/는)다는

    "that (someone said/is)", "called", "named", "which is"

    V+(스)ㅂ니까

    Is it...?, Do you...?, Are you...? (Formal Question Ending)

    V+(으)ㅂ시다

    Let's..., Shall we...?

    V+자고

    said to suggest that..., suggested that we...

    V+던데(요)

    I noticed that..., It turns out that..., I saw/heard that..., You know,...

    V+나이다

    Highly formal declarative ending; Archaic honorific statement.

    V+네(요)

    "Oh, I see...", "Wow, it's...", "It turns out that...", "Indeed, it is..."

    V+잖아

    "You know," "As you know," "Isn't it obvious that...", "I mean," "Of course,"

    V+데(요)

    "You know...", "I saw/heard/experienced that...", "By the way,..."

    V+다면서(요)

    Is it true that...?, I heard that... (is that right?), You said that... (didn't you?)

    V+다니/라니/냐니/자니

    To think that...; I can't believe that...; Are you saying that...?; The fact that... (is surprising/unbelievable).

    V+(으)오/(으)옵/사오/사옵/자오/자옵

    Humbly, respectfully, with utmost deference.

    V+더냐

    Did you...?, Was it...?, Do you remember...? Quick Usage: Attach directly to verb stems; no distinction for consonant/vowel endings.
  • Emphasis & Limitation

    • 만

    only, just, merely

    -밖에

    only, nothing but, no more than, just

    N+더러

    to (someone); telling (someone); asking (someone)

    (ㄴ/는)단/(이)란 말

    "You mean...", "So you're saying...", "The point is...", "It means that..."

    -뿐

    only, nothing but, just

    기 마련이다

    is bound to; is destined to; is naturally; it's only natural that

    V+다시피

    As you know, As you can see, As you heard, As you might expect.

    V+는/(으)ㄴ/(으)ㄹ

    who/which/that + [verb] (present/past/future tense), a [verb]-ing Noun, a [verb]-ed Noun, a Noun to [verb]

    지 않다

    do not, is not, are not, does not. Quick Usage: Attach directly to the verb or adjective stem.

    안 아요

    don't, doesn't, isn't, aren't, not. Quick Usage: Place '안' directly before the verb or adjective you want to negate. For '하다' verbs, '안' goes between the noun and '하다'.

    N+치고

    There is no N that is not..., Every N..., For N, without exception...

    N+끼리

    among themselves, between/among [group] only, just [group], by [group] alone

    -조차

    even; not even (in negative sentences); let alone

    (으)ㄹ 뻔하다

    Miscellaneous

    -(이)야말로

    indeed, truly, the very, the ultimate, if anything is X, it's this

    N+마저(도)

    even, even...too, even...as well

    (으)ㄴ/는 법이다

    "is bound to", "is destined to", "it's natural that", "it's the way things are", "must be"

    V+건대

    In my opinion, From what I see, I believe that, It seems to me that.
  • Guessing & Possibility

    • N+쯤

    about, around, approximately, roughly

    (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다

    can / cannot, be able to / be unable to, it is possible / it is impossible

    (으)ㄹ 것이다

    will, be going to, must be, probably, likely

    (으)ㄴ/는 모양이다

    It seems that..., It looks like..., It appears that...

    ㄹ/을 리가 없다

    There's no way that..., It can't be that..., It's impossible that...

    V+(으)랴

    How could one possibly...?, Who has time to...?, Too busy with X to do Y

    V+(으)ㄹ까

    Shall we...?, How about...?, Should I...?, I wonder if...

    V+(으)ㄴ가(요), 나(요)

    I wonder if..., Is it that...?, Could it be...?

    V+(으)ㄹ지(도)

    might, may, could, it's possible that..., perhaps

    아/어 보이다

    looks like, seems to be, appears to be

    V+(으)리라

    I will certainly..., It shall be..., It is bound to... Quick Usage: Attach -리라 to verbs ending in a vowel or 'ㄹ', and -으리라 to verbs ending in a consonant (except 'ㄹ').

    V+(으)ㄹ걸(요)

    I guess..., I suppose..., probably..., might be...

    는/(으)ㄴ/(으)ㄹ 것 같다

    It seems like; It looks like; I think; I guess; It appears that

    지 못하다

    cannot; be unable to; fail to

    아/어 하다

    seems to be...; appears to be...; acts like...; is acting...

    V+(으)ㄹ라

    lest, for fear that, worried that, concerned that

    (으)ㄹ 수도 있다/없다

    might, may, could, it's possible that..., there's a possibility that...

    (았/었/했)을 것

    must have (done/been), would have (done/been), probably (did/was)

    (으)ㄹ지(도) 모르다

    might; could; don't know if/whether; perhaps

    (으)ㄹ 텐데

    probably will, must be, I suppose, I expect that...

    V+던가

    Was it that...?, Did...?, I wonder if..., Don't tell me...

    V+(으/ㄹ/을)려나

    I wonder if...; I wonder whether...; Could it be that...?

    ㄹ/을 길이 없다

    There's no way to..., It's impossible to..., There's no means of...

    V+(으)리오

    How could...?; Is it possible that...?; It cannot be so.

    V+겠거니

    I figured, I assumed, I supposed, thinking that...
  • Hopes & Resolutions

    • V+아/어야지

    I must/will definitely..., I've got to..., I should/ought to (with strong resolve)

    았/었으면 좋겠다

    I wish (that)...; I hope (that)...; It would be good if...

    기로 하다

    to decide to, to agree to, to make a resolution to

    V+(으)ㅁ세

    "Let's...", "We shall...", "I shall...", "We will...", "Let us..." (when used as a proposal) or "I will..." (when used as a firm intention).

    고 싶다

    to want to..., would like to...

    을/를 바라다

    to hope for, to wish for, to desire

    V+(으)소서

    May you..., Please (solemnly)..., We humbly ask that you...

    고 말겠다

    "I will definitely...", "I am determined to...", "I'm going to do X, no matter what."
  • Listing & Addition

    • -도

    also, too, even, either (in negative sentences)

    N+들

    plural suffix; group indicator

    N+마다

    every, each, per. Quick Usage: Attaches directly to nouns without any changes.

    N+이자

    "and also", "who is also", "which is also", "first and foremost... and also"

    V+(이)거니

    As well as, Not only... but also, Sometimes... sometimes..., Recalling that...

    고

    "and then," "and," "after (doing X)," "first X, then Y"

    V+(으)며

    while, as, and, in addition to, not only... but also

    (으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라

    Not only... but also, in addition to, as well as

    -와/과

    and, with. Quick Usage: Vowel-ending noun + 와 / Consonant-ending noun + 과

    -하고

    and, with

    -랑/이랑

    and, with, together with

    N+네

    "the N group," "N's family/household," "people like N"

    N+째

    the nth, ordinal number suffix
  • Location & Direction

    • -에

    at, in, on, to, for (time)

    -에서

    at, in, from (when indicating the origin of an action)

    -에게

    to (a person/animal), for (a person/animal)

    -한테

    to, from (when receiving from an animate source)

    -께

    To (honorific), For (honorific). Quick Usage: Attaches directly to nouns referring to respected individuals.

    N+보고

    to (someone), for (someone), tell (someone)

    N+에다가

    onto, into, on top of, in addition to (a place)
  • Means & Methods

    • -(으)로

    by, with, to, towards, as, from (for selection)

    N+(으)로서

    as a..., in one's capacity as..., in the role of...

    N+(으)로써

    by means of, with, through, as (a means/method), as (a qualification)

    -대로

    according to, as, just as, in the way that, as one pleases

    N+씩

    each, per, apiece, at a time, in amounts of
  • Obligation & Permission

    • 아/어도 되다

    May I...?, Can I...?, It's okay to..., You may...

    (으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다

    have no choice but to, cannot help but, is bound to, is inevitable that

    V+(으)세요

    Please do..., Would you...?, He/She/They (honorific) do/are doing...

    V+아/어/여라

    Command; Order; 'Do X!'

    아/어 달다

    Please do (for me/us); Could you (for me/us)?

    V+거라, 너라

    "Do!", "Go!", "Come!" (archaic command form)

    지 그렇다

    How about...?; Wouldn't it be good to...?; Perhaps you should...

    V+(으)렴 / (으)려무나

    Go ahead and..., Why don't you..., Please (in a gentle way)

    아/어야 되다/하다

    must, have to, should, be supposed to

    지 말다

    Don't..., Do not..., Stop (doing)..., Let's not...

    (으)면 안 되다

    Must not; Should not; Are not allowed to; It is forbidden to

    V-(으)십시오

    Please do..., Would you please..., (Formal/Polite Command/Request)

    지 않아도 되다

    don't have to, no need to, it's not necessary to
  • Purpose & Intention

    • 아/어 주다

    to do for someone, to give (a favor), please do for me

    V+겠

    "will," "would," "must be," "I guess/suppose," "I intend to"

    V+(으)려고

    in order to, so that one can, intend to, plan to

    V+(으)ㄹ게(요)

    "I will...", "I'll...", "Let me..."

    V+(으)러

    in order to; to (do something); for the purpose of

    V+(으)마

    I will..., I shall..., I intend to... Quick Usage: Used only in the first person (speaker's intention).

    을/를 위해(서)

    for the sake of, for, in order to (benefit/achieve)

    아/어 드리다

    Benefactive Expressions

    V+(으)ㄹ래(요)

    Do you want to...?, Shall we...?, I want to..., I'll...

    V+고자

    in order to, with the intention of, so that one may

    V+자

    Let's..., Shall we...?, As soon as..., No sooner... than...

    (으)려고 하다

    "intend to", "plan to", "be going to", "want to" (when expressing one's own intention).

    V+게

    so that; in order to; to make (something) happen; (expecting) that

    아/어 보다

    to try (doing something), to try out, to give (something) a try

    V+도록

    so that, in order to, to the point where, until

    아/어 두다

    Miscellaneous

    (으)ㄹ까 하다

    Be thinking of, Be considering, Be contemplating, Might do, Plan to (tentatively)

    V+게끔

    so that (it will be certain to), in such a way that (it is ensured)

    V+(으)려던

    was about to..., was going to..., had intended to...

    (으)려던 참이다

    "was just about to", "was on the verge of", "was going to" Quick Usage: Attach to verb stems, using -으려던 for stems ending in a consonant and -려던 for stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ.
  • Reasons & Causes

    • V+아/어서

    because, so, and then, and (as a result)

    V+(으/이)니

    Since (you/it) are/is..., Seeing that..., Is it because...?

    V+(으)니까

    Because, Since, So, As, (Upon realizing that...)

    V+(으)ㄴ/는지

    perhaps because..., maybe because..., I guess it's because..., it seems that...

    V+(이)라서

    because it is..., since it is...

    V+거든(요)

    because (you see), if (you ask me), the thing is..., you know

    때문에

    because of, due to, on account of, since, as

    아/어 가지다

    to take/have [something] and do [something], to do [something] and proceed with [it], having done [something], [do something else]

    V+기에

    because, since, as, given that, in that, for the reason that, from the perspective of, to (do something)

    V+(ㄴ/는)다니까 / (이)라니까

    Because I heard that..., Since you said..., As I said..., I told you that...

    N+시키다

    to order (someone to do N), to make (someone do N), to have (someone do N)

    (으)ㄹ 테니(까)

    since I will/intend to..., as it will likely..., because I'm going to...

    V+느라(고)

    because of ~ing, due to ~ing, while ~ing (and thus...)

    V+길래

    because (I saw/heard/felt that...), since..., seeing that...

    -(으)므로

    since, as, because, therefore

    고 보니(까)

    Upon doing X, I realized Y; After doing X, I found out Y; It turns out that...

    는 바람에

    due to..., because of..., as a result of... (with a negative connotation)

    고 나니(까)

    After doing X, I realized/found that Y; Once X was done, Y happened.

    는 김에

    While I'm at it, Since I'm already doing X, On the occasion of, As long as I'm doing X.

    V+아/어서인지

    perhaps because; maybe because; it might be because; could it be that...

    V+거늘

    seeing that, given that, since, as, because (of the fact that)

    다(가) 보니(까)

    as I kept/continued doing X, I realized Y; it turns out that...; because I kept doing X, Y happened

    게 하다

    to make (someone do something), to cause (something to happen), to let, to allow

    V+더니

    after (having seen/experienced that), and then (as a result), but now (it's different)

    V+(았/었/했)더니

    And then; As a result of (doing X), (Y happened); After (doing X), I found that (Y)

    (으)로 인하다

    due to, owing to, because of, as a result of. Quick Usage: Attaches to nouns or noun phrases. The verb 인하다 conjugates normally.

    (으)ㄹ까 봐

    in case (something happens), for fear that, worried that, concerned that
  • Starting Points & Range

    • -까지

    Miscellaneous

    -부터

    from, starting from, since

    N+부

    "the initial part of N," "the beginning section of N," "the early phase of N."
  • States & Progress

    • V+(으)ㅁ

    -ing (nominalizer), the act of..., the fact that..., (formal declarative ending)

    중

    while, during, in the middle of, amidst

    V+더라고(요)

    I observed that..., I noticed that..., It turned out that..., I realized that...

    V+아/어다가

    "after doing X and bringing/taking it," "do X and then (use/bring) Y"

    아/어 버리다

    to finish doing, to end up doing, to do completely, to get it over with

    아/어 나가다

    to continue to do, to keep doing, to proceed with, to carry on

    N+당하다

    to be subjected to N, to suffer N, to undergo N, to be N-ed

    고 말다

    ended up ~ing, eventually ~ed, unfortunately ~ed, finally ~ed (with regret)

    V+(았/었/였)었

    had been, used to be, was (but no longer), double past tense

    N+이다

    to be, is/am/are

    는/(으)ㄴ/(으)ㄹ 것

    The act of ~ing, The fact that ~, What ~s/ed/will, ~ing (as a noun)

    V+기

    Miscellaneous

    아/어 가다

    Miscellaneous

    아/어 지다

    to become, to get, to turn (into), -ed (passive)

    -(이)야

    to be (informal), it is, it's

    아/어 오다

    "have been (doing) up until now," "to bring/carry (here)," "to come (doing something)."

    고 있다

    is/am/are -ing; to be in the process of; to be wearing/holding/sitting/standing

    아/어 있다

    to be in a state of having done something, to be V-ed

    V+(았/었/였)던

    "used to (do)", "that (one) did (and now it's over)", "the one who (did)"

    게 되다

    to come to be; to turn out that; to end up (doing); to get to (do)

    아/어 내다

    manage to do, succeed in doing, finally do (after difficulty), see through

    V+던

    used to; was/were ~ing; that I used to ~; that was ~ing

    V+다가

    while doing X, then Y; X-ing, and then Y; X-ing, but then Y.

    아/어 놓다

    to keep ~ing, to leave ~ed, to have ~ed and kept. Quick Usage: Attaches to the verb stem after 아/어 conjugation.

    N+하다

    to do N, to perform N, to be N-ing

    (으)ㄴ 적이 있다/없다

    Have (ever) done, Have never done, Have experience of doing

    (으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다

    to know how to / to not know how to; to be able to / to be unable to (in terms of skill)

    V+더

    I recall..., I remember..., It was (when I saw it)...

    (으)ㄴ 채로

    "while still...", "with... on/off/open/closed", "in the state of...", "as is"

    (으)ㄴ/는 편이다

    tend to, be on the side of, be rather, be somewhat

    N+되다

    to become, to turn into, to be made into

    는 길이다

    On one's way to/from, while going/coming, in the middle of a journey

    N+스럽다

    -like, -ish, resembling, characteristic of, feels like N

    기 일쑤이다

    It is common for...; often; frequently; tends to; prone to
  • Time Expressions

    • 때

    Time and Sequence

    전에

    before, prior to, ago

    동안

    while; during; for (a period of time)

    후에/뒤에

    Time and Sequence

    고 나서

    after (doing something); having done X, then Y

    V+고서

    after doing X; having done X; and then

    V+자마자

    as soon as; right after; the moment (that)

    는 길에

    on the way to..., while going to..., during one's journey to...

    N+경

    around, approximately, about, ~ish

    V+아/어/여

    Present tense ending, informal-polite ending

    V+았/었/였

    Past tense, did, was/were

    V+(스)ㅂ니다

    is/are/am doing, does/do, formal present tense ending

    V+(으)면서

    while; as; at the same time as

    N+간

    for (a period of time), during, throughout

    기도 하다

    sometimes; at times; even; also

    (으)ㄴ 지

    "It has been (time) since...", "since (time ago)"

    곤 하다

    often do, tend to do, used to do
  • Topic & Subjects

    • -은/는

    As for..., Speaking of..., Regarding..., The... (when emphasizing a specific noun)

    -을/를

    direct object marker, object particle, accusative case marker

    -이/가

    No direct English equivalent; functions as a subject identifier.

    -의

    's, of

    -께서

    honorific subject marker, respectful subject particle

    에 대해(서)

    about, regarding, concerning, on