Want, can, must
-고 싶다, -(으)ㄹ 수 있다, -아야 하다 and asking permission.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -고 싶다 | to want to | 가고 싶어요 I want to go |
| -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 | can | 갈 수 있어요 I can go |
| -(으)ㄹ 수 없다 | can't | 갈 수 없어요 I can't go |
| -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다 | to know how to | 운전할 줄 알아요 I can drive |
| -아/어야 하다, 되다 | must, have to | 가야 해요 I have to go |
| -아/어도 되다 | may | 가도 돼요? may I go? |
| -(으)면 안 되다 | must not | 가면 안 돼요 you mustn't go |
| 안 -아/어도 되다 | needn't | 안 가도 돼요 you don't have to go |
Want: -고 싶다
-고 싶어요 says what you want to do, and asks what the listener wants. For someone else, Korean says they "show they want": -고 싶어해요.
- hanguge gago sipeoyo.I want to go to Korea.
- mwo meokgo sipeoyo?What do you want to eat?
- dongsaengi gangajireul kiugo sipeohaeyo.My little brother wants a puppy.
For a thing, name what you want to do with it (커피 마시고 싶어요 "I want some coffee"), or ask for it with 주세요.
Can: -(으)ㄹ 수 있다
수 means "a way", so -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 is "there's a way to": ability or possibility. Its negative is -(으)ㄹ 수 없다, or 못 (Saying no). For a learned skill, -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다 "to know how to" is common.
- hangugeoreul jogeum hal su isseoyo.I can speak a little Korean.
- naeireun gal su eopseoyo.I can't go tomorrow.
- gimchireul mandeul jul arayo?Do you know how to make kimchi?
Must: -아/어야 하다
The 아/어 form with -야 and 하다 means "must, have to". In speech 되다 often takes 하다's place: 가야 돼요.
- naeil iljjik ireonaya haeyo.I have to get up early tomorrow.
- jigeum gaya dwaeyo.I have to go now.
May and must not
-아/어도 되다, "it's fine even if you do", asks or gives permission. -(으)면 안 되다, "it's not fine if you do", forbids:
- changmuneul yeoreodo dwaeyo?May I open the window?
- yeogiseo dambaereul piumyeon an dwaeyo.You can't smoke here.
- naeireun an wado dwaeyo.You don't have to come tomorrow.
Cards from this guide
10 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Joining and describing cards.
How do you say 'I want to go to Korea' with 가다?
한국에 가고 싶어요.
How do you say 'He wants to...' about someone else?
With -고 싶어해요: 가고 싶어해요.
How do you say 'I can speak Korean' with 하다?
한국어를 할 수 있어요.
How do you say 'I can't go' with -(으)ㄹ 수 없다?
갈 수 없어요.
How do you ask 'Do you know how to drive?' with 운전하다?
운전할 줄 알아요?
How do you say 'I have to go now' with 가다?
지금 가야 해요, or 가야 돼요.
How do you ask 'May I open the window?' with 열다 (to open)?
창문을 열어도 돼요?
How do you say 'You can't take photos here' with 사진을 찍다?
여기서 사진을 찍으면 안 돼요.
How do you say 'You don't have to come' with 오다?
안 와도 돼요.
How do you say 'I want some coffee'?
커피 마시고 싶어요, 'I want to drink coffee'.