KoreanBlueprint
Daily Korean
Today’s Phrase
한국어를 못해요
han·gu·geo·reul mo·thae·yo
hangugeoLeul mothaeyo
I can’t speak Korean
Cultural Insight
Koreans deeply appreciate any effort to speak their language. Even saying 한국어를 못해요 in Korean will often earn you a warm smile and praise. Don’t be shy — effort is respected above perfection.
Phrase Breakdown
한국어를
hangugeoLeul
Korean language (object)
한국어 (Korean) + 를 (object marker)
못해요
mothaeyo
cannot do
못 (cannot) + 해요 (do); expresses inability
Expresses that you lack the ability to speak Korean — useful for setting expectations.
Example Phrases
죄송해요, 한국어를 잘 못해요.
Joesonghaeyo, hangugeoLeul jal mothaeyo.
I’m sorry, I don’t speak Korean well.
잘 못해요 means ‘not able to do well’.
한국어를 조금 해요.
Hangugeoреул jogeum haeyo.
I speak a little Korean.
조금 means a little or a bit.
한국어를 배우고 있어요.
Hangugeoреул baeugо isseoyo.
I am learning Korean.
-고 있어요 expresses ongoing action.
Related Phrases
영어 할 수 있어요?
yeongeo hal su isseoyo?
Can you speak English?
Useful when needing an English speaker.
천천히 말해 주세요
cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo
Please speak slowly
Requests a slower speaking pace.
다시 말해 주세요
dasi malhae juseyo
Please say it again
Asks for repetition.
Quick Review
잠깐만요
Can you recall what this means?
jamkkanmanyo
Just a moment