되다
Become, Be Allowed
되다 is a core Korean verb meaning 'to become' something new or for something 'to be allowed/okay'.
How It Works
되다 is a fundamental and versatile verb in Korean with several key meanings. At Level 2, we focus on its two most common uses.
1. To Become (Noun + 이/가 되다)
This usage indicates a change of state, identity, or condition. The noun that the subject becomes is marked with the subject particle 이/가.
- Structure: Noun + 이/가 되다
- Example: 의사가 되다 (to become a doctor)
- Example: 어른이 되다 (to become an adult)
This is different from 이다 ('to be'), which describes a current state, not a change. For example, '저는 학생이에요' (I am a student) vs. '저는 대학생이 되었어요' (I became a university student).
2. To Be Allowed / Okay / Possible
This meaning is often found in grammar patterns that express permission or possibility.
- -아/어도 되다: This pattern means 'it is okay to...' or 'one may...'. It's used to give or ask for permission. (e.g., 들어가도 돼요? - May I enter?)
- -면 되다: This pattern means 'it is sufficient if...' or 'you just have to...'. (e.g., 이것만 하면 돼요 - You just have to do this.)
The opposite, expressing prohibition, often uses -면 안 되다 ('you must not...').
3. Other Common Uses
되다 is also used in everyday situations to mean:
- Something is ready/finished: 준비 다 됐어요. (The preparations are all done.)
- Something works/functions: 컴퓨터가 안 돼요. (The computer isn't working.)
Examples (5)
- 저는 가수가 되고 싶어요.
I want to become a singer.
Word by Word: I singer become want to.
Here, 되다 is used with the noun 가수 (singer) and the particle 가 to express the desire to change into that profession.
- 벌써 봄이 되었어요.
It has already become spring.
Word by Word: Already spring became.
This shows a change of state from one season to another.
- 여기서 사진을 찍어도 돼요?
Is it okay to take a picture here?
Word by Word: Here picture take-even-if is it okay?
This uses the -아/어도 되다 pattern to ask for permission. 돼요? is the question form of 되다.
- 음식이 다 됐어요. 와서 드세요.
The food is all ready. Come and eat.
Word by Word: Food all became. Come and eat.
In this context, 다 됐어요 means 'it's all done' or 'it's ready'.
- 죄송하지만, 카드가 안 돼요.
I'm sorry, but the card doesn't work.
Word by Word: Sorry but, card not okay.
안 되다 is a common expression meaning something is not working, not allowed, or not possible.
Common Mistakes
Using the object particle 을/를 instead of the subject particle 이/가 with 'become'.
Not Quite저는 의사를 됐어요.Better저는 의사가 됐어요.When something 'becomes' a noun, that noun is treated as the new identity or state of the subject, so it takes the subject particle 이/가, not the object particle 을/를.
Confusing 되다 (to become) with 하다 (to do).
Different Meaning저는 선생님을 하고 싶어요.Better저는 선생님이 되고 싶어요.While you can say '선생님 일을 하다' (to do the work of a teacher), when you want to express the change into that profession, you must use '선생님이 되다' (to become a teacher).
Learn This First
To use 되다 (become/be allowed), you need to understand verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -게 되다Become, End Up
This pattern combines -게 (adverbial ending) with 되다 to mean 'end up doing' or 'come to be in a situation'. It's a direct extension of the 'become' meaning, indicating a change that leads to a certain action or state. For example, '한국에서 살게 되었어요' (I came to live in Korea).
- -아/어도 되다May, Be Allowed to
This is the most common grammar pattern for asking for and giving permission. It directly uses the 'be allowed/okay' meaning of 되다. Understanding 되다 is essential to using this pattern with confidence.
- -(으)면 안 되다Must Not, Should Not
This is the direct opposite of permission patterns using 되다. It means 'one must not' or 'it is not okay if...'. Learning this alongside -아/어도 되다 helps clarify the concept of permission and prohibition in Korean.
- 이다To Be
이다 means 'to be', describing a current, static state (A is B). In contrast, 되다 means 'to become', describing a change or transformation (A becomes B). Comparing them helps clarify their distinct roles.
- 이/가Subject Marker
The subject particle 이/가 is crucial for the 'become' meaning of 되다. It marks the noun that the subject is turning into (e.g., '물이 얼음이 되다' - Water becomes ice). Using the wrong particle is a common mistake.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.