Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 5 - Intermediate Korean #2 (Lessons 121 to 150) ᚛ Lesson 121 - It is possible that in Korean [-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다]
It is possible that in Korean [-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다]
In the Korean language, there are many ways to express probability. Each has its own nuances, and this lesson and the following ones aim to break down some of the expressions and structures that can be used to express a possibility in Korean.
Maybe with -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다
In Korean, we can indicate that a situation has a certain probability of happening by using the following structure:
[Modifier -(으)ㄹ] 수도 있다
Reminder: the modifier -(으)ㄹ
When this structure is used, it indicates that it is possible for the action to take place. The probability is medium, neither high nor low. In English, we translate this with expressions such as "it is possible that", "might" or "could".
전염병 때문에 결혼식을 연기할 수도 있어.
→ It is possible that the wedding will be postponed because of the epidemic.
이 사건이 한 사람의 운명을 뒤바꿀 수도 있어요.
→ This event could turn a person’s fate upside down.
적당한 운동은 건강에 좋지만 지나친 운동은 건강에 안 좋을 수도 있어.
→ Moderate exercise is good for your health, but excessive exercise might not be good for it.
전기 제품을 잘못 다루면 감전될 수도 있어.
→ If you handle electrical appliances incorrectly, you could get electrocuted.
생각없이 한 말이 남에게는 상처가 될 수도 있어.
→ Words said without thinking could hurt someone else.
Summary table of structure
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Exercises
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Podcasts in Korean specially designed for beginners, to learn Korean by really listening to it from the very beginning.
You’re starting to learn Korean (or you already know the basics), but as soon as you listen to spoken Korean, everything suddenly feels too fast?
The words blend together, the pronunciation escapes you, and you feel like “real Korean” is very different from what you learned in textbooks.
That’s normal!
Listening comprehension is the most difficult part for all beginners.
