EPS-TOPIK Chapter 13-2 Grammar – Saying You Can’t Do Something in Korean | Teacher Nova

[Grammar] EPS-TOPIK Chapter 13-2 : Saying You Can’t Do Something (못)

작성자:

Chapter 13-2

못 + Verb

“Can’t” Due to Circumstance (Hindi Kayang Gawin)

🛑 WAIT! Grammar is way easier once you know the words — if you haven’t studied Chapter 13-2 Vocabulary (Condition & Mood) yet, go memorize them first! Today we’ll learn 못, another way to say “not” — but with a different meaning than 안.

🇵🇭 Teka muna! Mas madali ang grammar kapag alam mo na ang mga salita — kung hindi mo pa naaral ang Chapter 13-2 Vocabulary (Condition & Mood), i-memorize muna ito! Ngayon, aralin natin ang 못, isa pang paraan ng pagsasabi ng “hindi” — pero may ibang kahulugan kaysa sa 안.

👉 Go to Vocabulary Ch 13-2 First

📌 1. What is 못?

못 is placed before a verb to show that the subject is UNABLE to do something — due to lack of ability or some other reason (like being too busy, no time, etc.).
🇵🇭 Inilalagay ang 못 BAGO ang pandiwa upang ipakita na HINDI KAYA ng paksa na gawin ang isang bagay — dahil sa kakulangan sa kakayahan o ibang dahilan (tulad ng abala, walang oras, atbp).

[Basic pattern] 못 + Verb

Special rule: For “noun + 하다” verbs, put 못 BETWEEN the noun and 하다 — same rule as 안!
✅ 공부를 못 해요. (NOT 못 공부해요)

💡 TIP: 못 vs 안 — what’s the difference?
You met 안 back in Chapter 7-2. 안 is a simple “I don’t/won’t” (your own choice). 못 means “I CAN’T” — because of ability, circumstance, or something out of your control.
🇵🇭 Nakilala mo na ang 안 sa Chapter 7-2. Ang 안 ay simpleng “hindi ko gagawin” (sariling desisyon). Ang 못 naman ay “HINDI KO KAYA” — dahil sa kakayahan, sitwasyon, o bagay na wala sa kontrol mo.
Compare: 주말에는 회사에 안 가요. (I choose not to go — 안) vs 시간이 없어서 친구를 못 만나요. (I can’t meet my friend — 못)

📖 2. Example Sentences

Korean Meaning (English / Tagalog)
시간이 없어서 친구를 못 만나요. 🇺🇸 I can’t meet my friend because I have no time.
🇵🇭 Hindi ko makita ang kaibigan ko dahil walang oras.
바빠서 밥을 못 먹었어요. 🇺🇸 I couldn’t eat because I was busy.
🇵🇭 Hindi ako nakakain dahil abala ako.
비가 와서 운동을 못 해요. 🇺🇸 I can’t exercise because it’s raining.
🇵🇭 Hindi ako makapag-ehersisyo dahil umuulan.
가: 주말에 고향 친구를 만나요? 나: 아니요, 시간이 없어서 못 만나요. 🇺🇸 A: Are you meeting your hometown friend this weekend? B: No, I can’t — no time.
🇵🇭 Makikita mo ba ang kaibigan mo mula sa bayan sa weekend? / Hindi, wala akong oras.
💡 Quick tip: Ask yourself: “Is this MY choice, or is something stopping me?” Own choice → use 안. Something’s stopping you → use 못. This one question will help you pick the right one every time!

🎧 Final Step: Practice the Real Sound with Nova Player!

Learn with your ears, NOT your eyes! Listen and repeat again and again until it feels natural to you! 👇

👉 [VOCA] Ch 13-2
👉 [GRAMMAR] Ch 14-1
👉 [CONVERSATION] Ch 13-2

Source: HRD Korea Standard Textbook for EPS-TOPIK, rearranged by Teacher Nova for easier learning.
Pinagmulan: HRD Korea Standard Textbook para sa EPS-TOPIK, inayos ni Teacher Nova para sa mas madaling pag-aaral.