Korean for English speakers Sports · Lesson 5

I can't anymore ...

Express inability in Korean with 못 — 너무 힘들어요 (I'm so tired) — and suggest 그만해요 (let's stop).

Conversation

  1. Kyle Kyle

    미라 씨, 저 너무 힘들어요.

    Mira ssi, jeo neomu himdeureoyo.

    Ms. Meera, I'm so tired.

    Tip: <너무> = too <힘들어요> = adjective "to be hard/tired"

  2. Meera Meera

    우리 이제 그만해요.

    Uri ije geumanhaeyo.

    Let's stop now.

    Tip: <우리> = we <이제> = now <그만해요> = verb "to stop" (in suggestion conjugation)

  3. Kyle Kyle

    무슨 소리예요? 지금까지 몸풀기 게임이었어요.

    Museun soriyeyo? Jigeumkkaji mompulgi geimieosseoyo.

    What are you talking about? It's been a warm-up game so far.

    Tip: <무슨 소리예요?> = formal way to say "What do you mean?", "What are you talking about?" (Literally, "What sound is it?") <지금까지> = so far, until now <몸풀기> = warm-up <N이었어요/였어요> = verb "to be" (in past tense)

  4. Meera Meera

    네? 저 더는 못 해요. 땀을 너무 많이 흘렸어요.

    Ne? Jeo deoneun mot haeyo. Ttameul neomu mani heullyeosseoyo.

    What? I can't do it anymore. I sweated too much.

    Tip: <더는> = any more (in negative sentences) <못 해요> = verb "cannot do" (in present tense) <땀> = sweat (generally used with verbs 나다, 흘리다) <너무 많이> = too much <흘렸어요> = verb "to sweat" (in past tense)

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What is the difference between 못 and 안?

안 = won't / don't (chose not to). 못 = can't (ability/circumstance). 안 가요 (won't go) vs 못 가요 (can't go).

What does 힘들어요 mean?

'Tired / tough / hard'. From 힘들다 (= takes strength). Used for physical AND emotional difficulty.

How do you say 'let's stop' in Korean?

그만해요 (polite). Casual: 그만해. 그만 = stop, 하다 = do.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.