ㄹ/을 줄 알다 or 모르다

1. Title

V-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다: Ability and Possibility

2. Grammar Explanation

The pattern V-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다 is used to express whether someone knows how to do something or has the ability to do something. This is similar to the English expressions "know how to" and "don't know how to."

Formation:

• When the verb ends in a vowel, attach -ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다.

• When the verb ends in any other consonant, attach -을 줄 알다/모르다.

• When the verb ends with ㄹ consonant, attach 줄 알다/모르다

For example:

• 하다 (to do) → 할 줄 알다/모르다

• 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 줄 알다/모르다

• 팔다 (to sell) → 팔 줄 알다/모르다

Difference between ㄹ/을 줄 알다/모르다 and ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다

• ㄹ/을 줄 알다/모르다: Focuses on the knowledge or skill of performing an action.

  • Example: 저는 향수를 만들 줄 몰라요. (I don't know how to make perfume.)

• ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다: Indicates the possibility or ability to perform an action. It can also express whether a situation permits something to be done.

  • Example: 나는 향수를 만들 수 없어요.

    1. I don't know how to make perfume.

    2. I know how to make perfume, but I can't make it right now for some reason (such as a lack of time).

3. Example Sentences

1. 저는 피아노를 칠 줄 알아요.

   • I know how to play the piano.

2. 그는 스키를 탈 줄 몰라요.

   • He doesn't know how to ski.

3. 우리는 프로그램을 만들 줄 알아요.

   • We know how to make a program.

4. 제 친구는 영어를 할 줄 알아요.

   • My friend knows how to speak English.

5. 어머니는 수영할 줄 몰라요.

   • My mother doesn't know how to swim.

4. Sample Dialogues

Dialogue 1

• A: 영호 씨, 요리할 줄 알아요? (Youngho, do you know how to cook?)

  B: 아니요, 전혀 몰라요. 주로 배달 음식만 먹어요. (No, I don't know at all. I mainly eat delivery food.)’

  A: 진짜 별로네요. (That’s not good.)

Dialogue 2

• A: ‘식당’을 어떻게 읽는 줄 알아? (Do you know how to read ‘식당’?)

• B: ‘식당’이잖아. 바보야? (it’s ‘식당’ obviously, are you an idiot?)

• A: 아니. ‘식땅’이야. 바보야! (No, it’s ‘식땅’ stupid!)

5. Make Korean Sentences from English!

1. I know how to play the guitar.

2. My brother knows how to drive a car.

3. My friend doesn't know how to speak Japanese.

4. We know how to make traditional Korean food.

5. My sister knows how to dance well.

6. The teacher doesn't know how to use the computer.

7. My mom knows how to knit.

8. They don't know how to play chess.

9. I know how to solve this math problem.

10. My father knows how to repair cars.