Korean

못하다

못하다
Meaning: to be unable to, cannot
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Inflected form
Base 못하다
Present 못한다
Polite 못해요
Formal 못합니다
Past 못했다
Past + Polite 못했어요
Guess + Polite 못하겠어요
Connective 못하고
Conditional 못하면
Volitional 못하자
Imperative 못해라
Imperative + Polite 못하세요
Attributive 못하는 / 못한 / 못할

Example sentences

I can't swim.
아는 자는 좋아하는 자만 못하고, 좋아하는 자는 즐기는 자만 못하다.
To know is to not be as good as one who likes, and to like is to not be as good as one who enjoys.
그는 웃음을 참지 못했다.
He couldn't hold back his laughter.
시간이 부족해서 숙제를 다 못했어요.
I couldn't finish my homework because of lack of time.
첫 시도에서 성공하지 못했지만, 저는 포기하지 않을 거예요.
I didn't succeed on my first try, but I won't give up.
이 이론은 아직 구체를 갖추지 못했다.
This theory hasn't taken a concrete form yet.
저는 수학을 잘 못해요.
I'm not good at math.
저는 평생 당신을 잊지 못할 거예요.
I will never forget you for the rest of my life.
그는 아직 자신의 진로를 정하지 못했다.
He hasn't decided on his career path yet.
회사는 예상치 못한 손실을 입었다.
The company suffered an unexpected loss.

Usage Notes

Used after a noun and the particle 을/를, or before a verb, to indicate inability or lack of skill.

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