Korean · Body & Health
"I can't sleep" in Korean: 잠을 못 자요
잠을 못 자요jameul mot jayo
I can't sleep in Korean is 잠을 못 자요 (jameul mot jayo). 못 자요 expresses inability to sleep; 안 자요 means not sleeping or choosing not to sleep.
I can't sleep: starting the exchange
요즘 잠을 못 자요.yojeum jameul mot jayo.
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How to pronounce 잠을 못 자요
Say it
jameul mot jayo
/tɕamɯl mot̚ tɕajo/
잠을 못 자요 is read jameul mot jayo. In 밤에 잠을 못 자요, read the full phrase as bame jameul mot jayo.
"I can't sleep" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 잠을 못 자요jameul mot jayo | I can't sleep The inventory form for i can't sleep. | The inventory form for i can't sleep. |
| 밤에 잠을 못 자요bame jameul mot jayo | I cannot sleep at night 못 자요 expresses inability to sleep; 안 자요 means not sleeping or choosing not to sleep. | 못 자요 expresses inability to sleep; 안 자요 means not sleeping or choosing not to sleep. |
How to use 잠을 못 자요 in real life
- 1I can't sleep: starting the exchange
요즘 잠을 못 자요.
yojeum jameul mot jayo.
I cannot sleep these days.
못 자요 expresses inability to sleep; 안 자요 means not sleeping or choosing not to sleep.
- 2I can't sleep: adding useful context
시끄러워서 잠을 못 자요.
sikkeureowoseo jameul mot jayo.
I cannot sleep because it is noisy.
This sentence places 잠을 못 자요 in a complete exchange.
- 3I can't sleep: a different conversation
걱정 때문에 잠을 못 자요.
geokjeong ttaemune jameul mot jayo.
I cannot sleep because of worry.
This sentence places 잠을 못 자요 in a complete exchange.
Mistakes English speakers make with 잠을 못 자요
Incorrect: 요즘 잠을 못 자요이에요.
Correct: 요즘 잠을 못 자요.
When practicing i can't sleep, a conjugated predicate already finishes this sentence; do not append the noun copula 이에요. Keep the complete form 요즘 잠을 못 자요.
Incorrect: 요즘 잠을 못 자요습니다.
Correct: 요즘 잠을 못 자요.
When practicing i can't sleep, do not append a formal sentence ending to a predicate that already has its polite ending. Keep the complete form 요즘 잠을 못 자요.
Good to know
못 자요 expresses inability to sleep; 안 자요 means not sleeping or choosing not to sleep.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led body and health study exercise: two sentences with 잠을 못 자요
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
요즘 잠을 못 자요.
yojeum jameul mot jayo.
I cannot sleep these days.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
시끄러워서 잠을 못 자요.
sikkeureowoseo jameul mot jayo.
I cannot sleep because it is noisy.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"I can't sleep" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I can't sleep" in Korean
What does 잠을 못 자요 mean?
I can't sleep in Korean is 잠을 못 자요 (jameul mot jayo). 못 자요 expresses inability to sleep; 안 자요 means not sleeping or choosing not to sleep.
When should I say 밤에 잠을 못 자요?
못 자요 expresses inability to sleep; 안 자요 means not sleeping or choosing not to sleep.
How does 밤에 잠을 못 자요 differ from the basic expression?
밤에 잠을 못 자요 means “I cannot sleep at night”. 못 자요 expresses inability to sleep; 안 자요 means not sleeping or choosing not to sleep.
Can I use 잠을 못 자요 in a full sentence?
요즘 잠을 못 자요. means “I cannot sleep these days.” 못 자요 expresses inability to sleep; 안 자요 means not sleeping or choosing not to sleep.
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