Example Sentences#

1. “아, 이럴 수가,” 쥐가 말했다.¹
   “Ah, how could this be,” the mouse said.

   • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
   • 가 is a subject marker.
   • ㄹ 수 있다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses ability or possibility. Adding 가 emphasizes the existence or non-existence of a way or possibility, often highlighting contrast or emotional emphasis. The verb 있다 (to exist) is implied here.
   • 이럴 수가 is a common expression that conveys astonishment or disbelief at a situation. It often derives from fuller expressions such as 어떻게 이럴 수가 있어! (How can it be like this!) or conversationally implied phrases like 네가 어떻게 나한테 이럴 수 있어? (How could you do this to me?).

2. 앨리스: 앨리스는 이 말을 부정할 수 없다고 느껴서 다른 질문을 해 보았다.²
   Alice: Feeling that she couldn’t deny this, Alice asked another question.

   • 없다 means ‘to not exist’.
   • ㄹ 수 없다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses inability or impossibility.
   • -다고 is a quotative marker used to report speech or thoughts.

3. 그러나 노인은 단지 “좋을 수도 있고, 나쁠 수도 있습니다”라고 대답했습니다.³
   However, the old man just answered, “It could be good, or it could be bad.”

   • 있다 means ‘to exist’ or ‘to be’.
   • ㄹ 수 있다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses ability or possibility. Adding 도 implies this possibility exists alongside others, shifting the nuance from ‘can’ to ‘might’.
   • -고 is a connective ending used to link two actions or states, meaning ‘and’, or to join the main verb to auxiliary verbs.

4. 너도 이 마음 느낄 수 있잖아⁴
   You can feel this too, can’t you?

   • 있다 means ‘to exist’.
   • ㄹ 수 있다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses ability or possibility.
   • -잖아 is a sentence-ending particle used when the speaker assumes the listener already knows or should know and agree with what is being said. It stems from the negative form -지 않아, adding a rhetorical tone like ‘isn’t it?’ and may carry a reminder or corrective nuance.

5. 아마 실제로 십자가형을 당해야 하는 상황이 온다면, 저는 그것을 이겨낼 수 있을 것입니다.⁵
   Perhaps if a situation were to come where I had to actually be crucified, I would be able to overcome it.

   • 있다 means ‘to exist’ or ‘to have’.
   • ㄹ 수 있다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses ability or possibility.
   • ㄹ is a modifier that makes the preceding statement function as an adnominal phrase describing the following noun, conveying assumption, intention, or possibility, including potential future actions.

6. 포도가 너무 잘 익어서 가방에 넣을 수 없었기에, 맹인은 그 자리에서 라사로와 함께 포도를 나누어 먹기로 결심했다.⁶
   The grapes were so ripe that they couldn’t be put in the bag, so the blind man decided to share them on the spot with Lazaro.

   • 없다 means ‘to not exist.’
   • ㄹ 수 없다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses inability or impossibility.
   • 었 is a past tense marker.
   • -기 is a nominalizing suffix, turning the verb into a noun form.
   • 에 is a particle indicating the cause or basis for something.
   • -기에 is a connective ending referring to the cause or reason for the following statement.

7. 젊은 스님은 믿을 수 없었다.⁷
   The young monk couldn’t believe it.

   • 없다 means ‘to not exist’.
   • ㄹ 수 없다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses inability or impossibility.
   • 었 is a past tense marker.
   • 다 is a plain narrative form used in writing to state facts or narrate events.

8. 그것은 숲의 오래된 영혼의 목소리였고, 타로에게 원하는 무엇이든 변할 수 있는 힘을 주겠다고 했습니다.⁸
   It was the voice of an old spirit of the forest, promising Taro the power to change anything he wanted.

   • 있다 means ‘to exist’ or ‘to be’.
   • ㄹ 수 있다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses ability or possibility to do something.
   • 는 is a present tense modifier that makes the preceding statement function as an adnominal phrase describing the following noun.

9. 체셔 고양이: “오, 넌 그걸 피할 수 없어,” 고양이가 말했다.²
   Cheshire Cat: “Oh, you can’t avoid that,” said the cat.

   • 없다 means ‘to not exist’.
   • ㄹ 수 없다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses inability or impossibility.
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.

10. 하지만 노인은 다시 “좋을 수도 있고, 나쁠 수도 있습니다”라고 대답했습니다.³
    But the old man again answered, “It could be good, or it could be bad.”

    • 있다 means ‘to exist’ or ‘to be’.
    • ㄹ 수 있다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses ability or possibility. Adding 도 implies this possibility exists alongside others, shifting the nuance from ‘can’ to ‘might’.
    • -고 is a connective ending used to link two actions or states, meaning ‘and’, or to join the main verb to auxiliary verbs.

11. 하지만 저는 다른 사람과 함께 방 안에서 이틀 동안 지내는 것조차 견딜 수 없습니다.⁵
    But I can’t even endure staying with other people in a room for two days.

    • 없다 means ‘to not exist’.
    • ㄹ 수 없다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses inability or impossibility.
    • 습니다 is a formal polite ending used in declarative sentences.

12. 두 시간이 지나고, 세 시간이 지나자 젊은 스님은 더 이상 참을 수 없었다.⁷
    Two hours passed, and when three hours had passed, the young monk couldn’t endure it any longer.

    • 없다 means ‘to not exist’.
    • ㄹ 수 없다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses inability or impossibility.
    • 었 is a past tense marker.
    • 다 is a plain narrative form used in writing to state facts or narrate events.

13. 단순한 구름이 어떻게 그의 힘을 가릴 수 있을까?⁸
    How could a simple cloud obscure his power?

    • 있다 means ‘to exist’ or ‘to be’.
    • ㄹ 수 있다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses ability or possibility.
    • 을까 is a question ending indicating curiosity, wonder, or uncertainty, often used when the speaker is asking themselves a question.

14. 그러나 노인은 여전히 “좋을 수도 있고, 나쁠 수도 있습니다”라고 대답했습니다.³
    However, the old man still answered, “It could be good, or it could be bad.”

    • 있다 means ‘to exist’ or ‘to be’.
    • ㄹ 수 있다 forms a grammar pattern that expresses ability or possibility. Adding 도 implies this possibility exists alongside others, shifting the nuance from ‘can’ to ‘might’.
    • -고 is a connective ending used to link two actions or states, meaning ‘and’, or to join the main verb to auxiliary verbs.