How to say “You can do it” in Korean
- 할 수 있어hal su isseo
You can do it
"You can do it" in Korean is 할 수 있어 (hal su isseo), literally "(you) can do (it)." Politely, say 할 수 있어요 (hal su isseoyo). Koreans also cheer each other on with 힘내 (himnae) and 화이팅 (hwaiting).
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 할 수 있어 hal su isseo | Casual | To friends and family before a challenge. Adding 넌 (you) makes it stronger: 넌 할 수 있어. |
| 할 수 있어요 hal su isseoyo | Polite | The same encouragement for coworkers, classmates, or anyone you speak politely to. |
| 힘내 himnae | Casual | "Cheer up" or "stay strong." Best when someone is tired, stressed, or going through a hard time. |
| 힘내세요 himnaeseyo | Polite | The polite "stay strong." Fans often write it to idols and actors. |
| 화이팅 hwaiting | Any | The all-purpose cheer, from English "fighting." Use it before games, exams, work, anything. |
Examples
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Your friend is nervous before a race
A friend is pulling an all-nighter
Cheering for your team
Tips
할 수 있다 is the basic "can do" pattern: verb stem + ㄹ 수 있다. Once you know it, you can say 갈 수 있어 (I can go) or 먹을 수 있어 (I can eat it).
The dictionary spelling is 파이팅, but 화이팅 is just as common in everyday writing. Both are pronounced close to "hwa-i-ting" or "pa-i-ting."
힘내 is for when someone is struggling, and 화이팅 is for when someone is about to start something. 할 수 있어 fits both.
Questions learners ask
What does hwaiting mean in Korean?
화이팅 comes from the English word "fighting" and means "go for it" or "you can do it." Koreans say it to cheer people on before any challenge.
What is the difference between 힘내 and 화이팅?
힘내 means "find your strength" and comforts someone who is tired or having a hard time. 화이팅 is a cheerful push before a challenge.