-아/어도 되다
May, Be Allowed to
Used to ask for or grant permission. It means 'it is okay to...' or 'you may...'.
How It Works
This pattern is used to ask for, grant, or talk about permission. It attaches to verb and adjective stems, for example 비싸도 돼요 ('it's okay even if it's expensive').
Conjugation:
The conjugation follows the same rules as the -아/어 informal polite ending.
- If the last vowel of the verb stem is ㅏ or ㅗ, you add -아도 되다.
(e.g., 가다 → 가도 되다, 보다 → 봐도 되다) - If the last vowel is anything else (ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅣ, etc.), you add -어도 되다.
(e.g., 먹다 → 먹어도 되다, 읽다 → 읽어도 되다) - For 하다 verbs, it becomes -해도 되다.
(e.g., 공부하다 → 공부해도 되다)
Usage:
1. Asking for Permission: Use it in a question form, like -아/어도 돼요?
• 사진을 찍어도 돼요? (May I take a picture?)
2. Granting Permission: Use it in a statement form.
• 네, 찍어도 돼요. (Yes, you may take one.)
3. Denying Permission: Do not use -아/어도 안 돼요 to say no. It means 'even if you do it, it doesn't work', for example when a camera fails even though you take a picture. To deny permission, use the pattern -(으)면 안 되다 ('you must not').
• 아니요, 찍으면 안 돼요. (No, you must not take one.)
The verb 되다 can often be replaced with 괜찮다 (to be okay) with little change in meaning.
• 지금 들어가도 괜찮아요? (Is it okay if I go in now?)
Examples (5)
- 여기 앉아도 돼요?
May I sit here?
Word by Word: Here sit-even if is it okay?
- 창문을 열어도 될까요?
Is it okay if I open the window?
Word by Word: Window open-even if will it be okay?
Using -ㄹ까요 makes the question sound a bit softer and more polite than -요.
- 수업 후에 질문해도 됩니다.
You may ask questions after class.
Word by Word: Class after question-do-even if it is okay (formal).
- 이 음식을 먹어도 괜찮아요.
It's okay to eat this food.
Word by Word: This food eat-even if it's okay.
괜찮다 (to be okay) is often used interchangeably with 되다 in this pattern.
- 늦게 와도 돼요. 걱정하지 마세요.
It's okay if you come late. Don't worry.
Word by Word: Late come-even if it's okay. Worry don't.
Common Mistakes
Using -아/어도 되다 (permission) when trying to express obligation, which requires -아/어야 되다.
Different Meaning숙제를 내일 해도 돼요.Better숙제를 내일 해야 돼요.The 'incorrect' example is grammatically perfect, but it means 'I am allowed to do homework tomorrow.' If you want to express obligation ('I have to do homework tomorrow'), you must use the correct pattern, -아/어야 되다. This is a common mistake of choosing the wrong pattern for the intended meaning.
Using the wrong connector, like -고 instead of -아/어.
Not Quite지금 가고 돼요?Better지금 가도 돼요?This pattern requires the -아/어 connector, which is determined by the verb stem's last vowel (가다 -> 가 + -아도 -> 가도). The -고 particle is used for listing actions or showing sequence, not for granting permission.
Learn This First
To express permission 'may do', you need concessive patterns and 되다.
Related Patterns
- -(으)면 안 되다Must Not, Should Not
This is the most common way to deny permission or express prohibition ('must not', 'should not'). It's the direct counterpart to -아/어도 되다 for negative responses.
- -아/어야 되다/하다Have to, Must
Expresses obligation ('must', 'have to'). It is the opposite of -아/어도 되다, which expresses permission. Learners often confuse these two.
- -지 않아도 되다Don't Have to, Not Necessary
Expresses a lack of necessity ('don't have to'). While -아/어도 되다 gives permission to do something, this pattern gives 'permission' not to do something.
- -(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다Can/cannot
Expresses ability ('can'/'cannot'). While -아/어도 되다 is about permission, -ㄹ 수 있다 is about capability. Sometimes they can overlap in meaning (e.g., 'Can I use this?' could be about permission or ability), but their core functions are distinct.