할 수 있어요?
hal su isseoyo?
The Korean phrase for "can you?" is 할 수 있어요? (hal su isseoyo?)
This phrase is used to ask if someone has the ability or permission to do something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 하다 (to do), ㄹ 수 있다 (to be able to) and the polite ending 어요?
Which one should you use?
You can use -을 수 있어? for informal situations or -을 수 있으시나요? to be more polite.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several levels of formality for this expression. For highly formal contexts like business or the military, use 할 수 있습니까? or the polite -을 수 있으시나요?
How does it change in a sentence?
The question 할 수 있어요? is turned into a statement by changing the rising intonation to a falling intonation.
How do you pronounce it?
hal su isseoyo?
Did you know?
- The word 수 in this phrase originates from the Chinese character for 'hand', which evolved to mean 'way' or 'method'.
- In Korean, asking 할 수 있어요? can be a polite way to request someone's help, even if you are not actually questioning their physical ability.
- Depending on the context, saying 할 수 있어요 with a falling intonation can function as a confident promise or a boast rather than just a statement of fact.
Examples in context
- 선생님, 이 문제를 풀 수 있으시나요?Teacher, can you solve this problem?
- 친구야, 이거 할 수 있어?Hey friend, can you do this?
- 형, 이 문제를 풀 수 있을까?Bro, can you solve this problem?
- 박사님, 이 문제를 푸실 수 있으신가요?Doctor, can you solve this problem?
- 여보, 이거 할 수 있어?Honey, can you do this?
- 한국어를 할 수 있어요?Han-gug-eo-reul hal su iss-eo-yo?Can you speak Korean?
Example conversation
Dohyun asks Jieun if she can swim.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 수영 할 수 있어요?Jieun ssi, suyeong hal su isseoyo?Jieun, can you swim?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 아주 잘 할 수 있어요.Ne, aju jal hal su isseoyo.Yes, I can do it very well.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말요? 다행이네요.Jeongmalyo? Dahaeng-ineyo.Really? That's a relief.
- 지은 Ji-eun같이 수영하러 갈까요?Gachi suyeong-hareo galkkayo?Shall we go swimming together?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 수, 할, CC BY-SA 4.0.
