Korean -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다: How to Say “Can” and “Cannot” If you want to say “I can speak Korean,” “I can’t go today,” or “Can you come tomorrow?” , one of the most useful Korean grammar patterns is -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다 . This pattern is often introduced simply as “can” and “cannot.” That is a useful starting point, but it does more than describe a skill. In everyday Korean, it can also tell you whether something is possible in a particular situation . In this guide, we will look at how to form -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다 , when Koreans actually use it, how it differs from 못 , and what to say when you are asking for permission rather than ability or possibility. 1. What Does -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다 Mean? The basic meanings are: -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 = can / be able to / it is possible to -(으)ㄹ 수 없다 = cannot / be unable to / it is not possible to For example: 한국어를 읽을 수 있어요. I can read Korean. 오늘 갈 수 없어요. I can’t go today. 내일 만날 수 있어요? Can you meet tomorrow? The first sentenc...