Everyday Korean · one useful step · LESSON 1 / 4

Say what you can do

Use -(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 to describe an ability.

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A friend asks whether you can read a Korean menu. Start by saying what you can do.

한국어 메뉴를 읽을 수 있어요.

I can read a Korean menu.

한국어로 주문할 수 있어요.

I can order in Korean.

A quick reminder before you practise

먹어요, 가요, 해요: polite everyday verbs →

Recognize a small set of present polite action forms.

Notice the pattern

After a vowel, add ㄹ to the stem: 주문하다 → 주문할 수 있어요. After a consonant other than ㄹ, add 을: 읽다 → 읽을 수 있어요. If the stem already ends in ㄹ, keep it: 만들다 → 만들 수 있어요. Write spaces around 수.

Try it yourself

Which sentence says you can read the menu?

Which form follows 읽다?

Choose the form from 만들다.

Build “I can order.”

…

RETRIEVE BEFORE YOU REVEAL

Say it in your own time.

Say that you can read a Korean menu.

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