Korean word

못하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationmotada

Meaning

  • verbnot be able to

Example

저는 한국어를 못해요.cheo neun han gu geo reul mo tae yo

I am not able to speak Korean.

Illustration for 못하다 (not be able to)

More examples

아직 새 차로는 운전을 못해요.a jik sae cha ro neun un jeo neul mo tae yo

I can't drive the new car yet.

Core concept

A barrier or lack of ability keeps someone from doing something.

Common phrases

  • 운전을 못해요un jeo neul mo tae yo

    not be able to drive

  • 요리를 못해요yo ri reul mo tae yo

    not be able to cook

  • 발음을 못해요pa reu meul mo tae yo

    not be able to pronounce well

Similar words

할 수 없다hal ssu eoptta: An action cannot be done when a needed condition or resource is missing.
하지 못하다haji motada: Failing to carry out an intended action because circumstances or ability stand in the way.
할 줄 모르다hal jjul moreuda: Not knowing how to do something because the needed method or skill has not been learned.
안 되다an toeda: An action cannot go ahead because the situation or conditions do not allow it.

Definition in Korean

기회·능력·환경 등으로 어떤 행동을 할 수 없는 상태를 이르는 동사.ki hoe neung nyeok hwan gyeong teung eu ro eo tteon haeng dong eul hal ssu eom neun sang tae reul i reu neun tong sa

Word origin

The formation 못하다 (motada, "be unable to do") comes from 못 (mo, "cannot") plus 하다 (tada, "do").

Usage tips

  • When describing a personal skill, this word often sounds modest, especially with a polite ending, rather than making a strong claim about ability.

Other meanings

  • be bad atverb
  • be worse thanverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word