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 that identifies the noun as the entity that performs an action or is in a particular state.
   • 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. 너에게 닿을 수 있을까?²
   Will it ever reach you?
   • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
3. 앨리스: 앨리스는 이 말을 부정할 수 없다고 느껴서 다른 질문을 해 보았다.³
   Alice: Feeling that she couldn’t deny this, Alice asked another question.
   • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
4. 그러나 노인은 단지 “좋을 수도 있고, 나쁠 수도 있습니다”라고 대답했습니다.⁴
   However, the old man just answered, “It could be good, or it could be bad.”
   • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
   • 도 is a postpositional particle used to indicate an addition of another thing to something that already exists, suggesting ‘also’ or ‘even’.
5. 너도 이 마음 느낄 수 있잖아⁵
   You can feel this too, can’t you?
   • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
6. 아마 실제로 십자가형을 당해야 하는 상황이 온다면, 저는 그것을 이겨낼 수 있을 것입니다.⁶
   Perhaps if a situation were to come where I had to actually be crucified, I would be able to overcome it.
   • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
7. 포도가 너무 잘 익어서 가방에 넣을 수 없었기에, 맹인은 그 자리에서 라사로와 함께 포도를 나누어 먹기로 결심했다.⁷
   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.
   • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
8. 잡을 수 없지만 눈에 남아⁸
   Though I can’t catch it, it remains in my eyes
   • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
9. 젊은 스님은 믿을 수 없었다.⁹
   The young monk couldn’t believe it.
   • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
10. “사람은 자기가 길들인 것만 알 수 있어.” 여우가 말했다.¹⁰
    “One only knows the things one has tamed,” said the fox.
    • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
11. 앞으로 나아갈 수밖에 없었어¹¹
    I had no choice but to keep moving forward.
    • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
    • 밖에 is a particle formed from 밖 (outside) and 에 (location particle), literally meaning ‘outside of’, and is used with negative verbs to express ‘except’ or ‘other than’.
12. 그것은 숲의 오래된 영혼의 목소리였고, 타로에게 원하는 무엇이든 변할 수 있는 힘을 주겠다고 했습니다.¹²
    It was the voice of an old spirit of the forest, promising Taro the power to change anything he wanted.
    • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
13. 체셔 고양이: “오, 넌 그걸 피할 수 없어,” 고양이가 말했다.³
    Cheshire Cat: “Oh, you can’t avoid that,” said the cat.
    • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
14. 하지만 노인은 다시 “좋을 수도 있고, 나쁠 수도 있습니다”라고 대답했습니다.⁴
    But the old man again answered, “It could be good, or it could be bad.”
    • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
    • 도 is a postpositional particle used to indicate an addition of another thing to something that already exists, suggesting ‘also’ or ‘even’.
15. 하지만 저는 다른 사람과 함께 방 안에서 이틀 동안 지내는 것조차 견딜 수 없습니다.⁶
    But I can’t even endure staying with other people in a room for two days.
    • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
16. 알 수 없는 길이지만 재밌어 보여⁸
    It’s an unknown path, yet it looks fun
    • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
17. 두 시간이 지나고, 세 시간이 지나자 젊은 스님은 더 이상 참을 수 없었다.⁹
    Two hours passed, and when three hours had passed, the young monk couldn’t endure it any longer.
    • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.
18. 하지만 네가 아무 때나 온다면, 나는 몇 시에 마음의 준비를 해야 할지 알 수 없을 거야…”¹⁰
    But if you come at just any time, I shall never know at what hour to prepare my heart…”
    • 수 is a bound noun that can mean ‘way’, ‘means’, ‘possibility’, or ‘ability’.