줄 수 있어요
jul su isseoyo
In Korean, "can I have" is expressed as 줄 수 있어요 (jul su isseoyo).
This phrase is a polite way to ask someone to give you something. To make your request sound much more natural and less demanding, you can add 좀 (meaning "a little" or "please") to the sentence, such as in 이것 좀 줄 수 있어요? which means "can you give me this?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using the honorific form 주실 수 있어요? is a more polite way to ask for something than the default 줄 수 있어요? to say "could you please give (me)?"
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding a question mark and rising intonation turns 줄 수 있어요? into a request meaning "can you give (me)?"
How do you pronounce it?
jul su isseoyo
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid translating "can I have" literally as "can I possess/hold" (such as 제가 가질 수 있어요?). In Korean, it is more natural to ask if the other person "can give" the item to you.
Did you know?
- If you are asking for something in a restaurant, you might hear 주세요 (please give) instead of 줄 수 있어요, as the latter can sometimes sound like you are questioning the server's ability to provide the item.
- When asking for a favor or an object, Koreans often use a softening gesture such as a slight tilt of the head or a small bow to accompany the phrase 줄 수 있어요.
- In Korean, focusing on the giver's generosity is considered more polite than focusing on the requester's desire to possess an item.
Examples in context
- 한 잔 (han jan) 주실 수 있으실까요? (Han jan jushil su isseulkka yo?)Can I have a drink, please?
- 이것을 가져 갈 수 있을까요? (Igeoseul gajyeo gal su isseulkka yo?)Can I take this?
- 먹어도 될까? (Meogeodo doelkka?)Is it okay if I eat this?
- 물 좀 줄 수 있어요?mul jom jul su isseoyo?Can I have some water?
- 메뉴판 좀 줄 수 있어요?menyupan jom jul su isseoyo?Can I have the menu, please?
- 그 책 좀 줄 수 있어요?geu chaek jom jul su isseoyo?Can I have that book?
Example conversation
At a cafe, Jihoon is asking Jieun to pass him a napkin.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 휴지 좀 줄 수 있어요?Jieun ssi, hyuji jom jul su isseoyo?Jieun, can I have a napkin?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 여기 있어요.Ne, yeogi isseoyo.Yes, here it is.
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워요.Gomawoyo.Thank you.
- 지은 Ji-eun아니에요.Anieyo.You're welcome.
