I can't stand it / I can't hold back

Day 122 — I can’t stand it / I can’t hold back | Korean Blueprint

Today’s Phrase

참을 수 없어요

cha·meul su eop·seo·yo

chameul su eopseoyo

I can’t stand it / I can’t hold back

Grammar Spotlight

-ㄹ/을 수 없다 (cannot) is the negative potential form. -ㄹ/을 수 있다 (can). Examples: 먹을 수 있어요 (I can eat), 먹을 수 없어요 (I cannot eat). This structure is used extensively for expressing ability or inability in any context.

Phrase Breakdown

참을 수

chameul su

ability to endure

참다 (to endure/hold back) + -을 수 (ability/possibility)

없어요

eopseoyo

there is none

없다 (to not exist) → 없어요 (polite)

Expresses having reached one’s limit of patience, pain, or resistance.

Example Phrases

이 음식이 너무 맛있어서 참을 수 없어요!

I eumsigi neomu massisseoseo chameul su eopseoyo!

This food is so delicious I can’t hold back!

-아서/어서 = because of.

그 소식을 듣고 참을 수 없이 울었어요.

Geu soshigeul deutgo chameul su eopsi ureosseoyo.

Hearing that news, I couldn’t stop crying.

참을 수 없이 = uncontrollably.

더 이상 참을 수 없어요. 말해야겠어요.

Deo isang chameul su eopseoyo. Malhayagesseoyo.

I can’t take it anymore. I need to speak up.

더 이상 = no longer/anymore.

Related Phrases

못 참겠어요

mot chamgesseoyo

I can’t bear it

Similar expression of reaching one’s limit.

화가 너무 나요

hwaga neomu nayo

I’m very angry

Expressing anger that’s hard to contain.

참아요

chamayo

Hold on / Be patient

Urging someone to be patient.

Quick Review

어떤 드라마 좋아해요?

Can you recall what this means?

eotteon deurama johahaeyo?

What drama do you like?