-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 vs -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다

Beginner · TOPIK I

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 covers ability in general, including whether circumstances allow it; -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다 is only about knowing how to do something — a learned skill.

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다An expression used to indicate that the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement is possible.-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다An expression used to indicate that one knows how to do a certain thing.

Rules of thumb

Learned skills (swimming, driving, cooking, playing an instrument): both work; -(으)ㄹ 줄 알다 stresses 'know how to'.
Can't because of circumstances (you've been drinking, you're busy, it's not allowed): only -(으)ㄹ 수 없다.
Possibility (it might happen): only -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 (늦을 수도 있어요 'I might be late').
-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다 doesn't attach to adjectives.

Example sentences

-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다
I know how to drive.
-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다
I've been drinking today, so I can't drive.
오늘은 술을 마셔서 운전할 줄 몰라요.
Incorrect
I've been drinking, so I don't know how to drive. [Wrong: it's circumstances, not lack of skill, so use -(eu)l su eopda]
Both work
Can you make kimchi stew?
-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다
If there's traffic, I might be a little late.

← All confused pairs