What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from 할, which is the prospective form of the verb 하다 (to do) and 수, which refers to a way, method or the possibility of doing something.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the level of formality required by the situation. 할 수 있어요 is the polite form, 할 수 있어 is used in casual settings and 제가 할 수 있습니다 is used in highly formal or professional contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For casual speech with friends, family or those younger than you, use the informal 할 수 있어. For professional settings, business presentations, military contexts or when addressing strangers and people of higher status, use the formal 제가 할 수 있습니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 할 수 있어요 is the polite form of the dictionary/plain form 할 수 있다. If you wish to express the negative "I cannot do it", you replace 있어요 with 없어요 to say 할 수 없어요.
How do you pronounce it?
hal su isseoyo
Did you know?
- In the phrase 할 수 있어요, the word 수 originally comes from the Chinese character for 'hand', implying that having the 'way' to do something is akin to having the 'hand' to do it.
- While 할 수 있어요 is the standard way to express ability, there is a native Korean alternative using the word 줄. Using 할 줄 알아요 focuses more on whether you have the learned skill or knowledge to perform the task.
- Because Korean often omits the subject, you can simply say 할 수 있어요 to mean 'I can do it', 'You can do it', or even 'It can be done', depending entirely on the context of your conversation.
Examples in context
- 혼자서도 할 수 있어요.honjaseodo hal su isseoyo.I can do it by myself.
- 저는 이 일을 할 수 있어요.jeoneun i ireul hal su isseoyo.I can do this work.
- 걱정 마세요, 할 수 있어요.geokjeong maseyo, hal su isseoyo.Don't worry, I can do it.
Example conversation
A man is helping a woman with a difficult task at work.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨, 도와줄까요?Minjun ssi, dowajulkkayo?Minjun, shall I help you?
- 민준 Min-jun아니요, 괜찮아요. 저 할 수 있어요.Aniyo, gwaenchanayo. Jeo hal su isseoyo.No, it's okay. I can do it.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 혼자서 할 수 있어요?Jeongmal honjaseo hal su isseoyo?Can you really do it alone?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 서연 씨. 걱정하지 마세요.Ne, Seoyeon ssi. Geokjeonghaji maseyo.Yes, Seoyeon. Don't worry.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 수, 할, CC BY-SA 4.0.
