Korean Grammar Made Easy: -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다 vs -(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다
- iseodangmumbai
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
If you’re learning Korean, you may feel confused when you see:
-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다 -(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다
They both seem to mean:
👉 “can / cannot do something”
So… what’s the difference?
1. What is “-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다”?
Meaning:👉 to know how to do something👉 focuses on learned ability / skill
Examples
저는 수영할 줄 알아요.
→ I know how to swim.
저는 운전할 줄 몰라요.
→ I don’t know how to drive.
그는 한국어를 읽을 줄 알아요.
→ He knows how to read Korean.
Key idea
This form is used when you learn a skill or ability.
2. What is “-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다”?
Meaning:👉 can / cannot do something👉 focuses on possibility, situation, or conditions
Examples
오늘 만날 수 있어요.
→ I can meet today.
지금 갈 수 없어요.
→ I cannot go now.
여기서 사진을 찍을 수 있어요.
→ You can take pictures here.
Key idea
This form is used when something is possible (or not) due to a situation.
3. The Real Difference (easy comparison)
Form | Meaning | Focus |
-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다 | know how to do | skill / learning |
-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 | can / cannot do | situation / possibility |
4. Similarities
Sometimes both forms are possible:
저는 수영할 수 있어요.
저는 수영할 줄 알아요.
Both mean “I can swim.”
But there is a small difference:
줄 알다 → emphasizes I learned it (know how to)
수 있다 → emphasizes it is possible
5. When you CANNOT switch them
❌ Wrong or unnatural
지금 전화할 줄 알아요
→ sounds like “I know how to call” (skill), not about now
✅ Correct
지금 전화할 수 있어요
→ I can call now (it’s possible now)
❌ Slightly unnatural
한국어를 읽을 수 있어요
→ correct, but less focused on skill
✅ Better (when talking about ability)
한국어를 읽을 줄 알아요
→ I know how to read Korean
6. Quick tip for teaching
A very effective explanation:
“줄 알다 = know how”“수 있다 = can (possible)”
This simple contrast helps learners understand the difference immediately.
Final takeaway
Both forms can mean “can”
But they are NOT exactly the same
👉 줄 알다 = skill (learned ability)👉 수 있다 = possibility (situation)
Mastering this difference will make your Korean more accurate and natural 👍
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