In this blog post, we will dive into the usage of “-도 되다” in Korean and explore its significance in granting permission, describing possibilities, and navigating social norms.
Understanding the construction and usage of “-도 되다” is essential for effective communication and expressing what is permissible or acceptable in various situations. This versatile expression combines the verb stem with “-도 되다” to convey a sense of permission, allowing you to seek or grant approval for certain actions.
Throughout the blog post, we will provide examples and practical exercises to help you grasp the usage of “-도 되다” effectively. By the end of this post, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to use “-도 되다” to express permissibility, navigate cultural nuances, and communicate with respect and consideration.
Conjugation
We have previously covered the grammar structure of -아/어/여야 되다. If you need a recap, please check this lesson here. We follow a similar structure to that grammar ending but we replace the “야” with “도”.
VERB STEM + 아/어/여 +도 되다
The endings are as per below
-아도 돼요
-어도 돼요
-여도 돼요
To know which of the above you need to use, follow the rules below;
- If the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, add 아도 돼요
- If the last vowel is not one of the above, add 어도 돼요
- Only 하 is followed by 여도 돼요 and becomes 해도 돼요 (always the case)
되다 gets conjugated to 돼요 in the present tense (always the case).
되다
되다 is a really interesting verb as it can have different meanings and is commonly used in the Korean language. So let’s look at this verb before we look at anything else.
To become or to be
At its core, “되다” means “to become” or “to be.” It indicates a transformation or a change of state, suggesting that something has transitioned into a different condition or status. It is often used to describe the process of something happening or coming into existence.
- 선생님 됐어요. – I became a teacher
- 가수가 되고 싶어요. – I want to become a singer.
To work/to continue
It can also mean whether something is working or not.
- 이 컴푸터가 돼요? – Is this computer working?
- 이거 잘 안 돼요. – This is not working well.
- 이 프로그램은 잠시후 계속 됩니다. – This program will continue after a while.
Okay
Lastly, it can also mean “okay” and so this function is somewhat similar to the word “괜찮아요”.
- 안 돼요. – It’s not ok.
- 배달 돼요? – Is delivery ok?/ Do you do delivery?
Understanding the meaning
Now that we have briefly covered the verb 되다, let’s look at the whole structure of today’s grammar.
Firstly, as seen above we conjugate the verb into the present tense i.e. 해.
도
We have met with “도” before. It means “also” or “too”.
Combined with a verb, it means “even though….”
- 해도 – even though I do it
- 봐도 – even though I see it
- 먹어도 – even though I eat it
You get it, right?
Then, we add 되다 which after conjugating it to present tense becomes 돼요. In this case, it is translated to “okay”.
- 이거 먹어도 돼요? – Can I eat this?
The literal translation would be “even if I eat this, is it ok?”. But for a natural translation, we can just ask “Can I eat this?”/“Is it ok to eat this?”. Here, 돼요 can be technically replaced with “괜찮아요” and it will mean the same thing but “돼요” is more commonly used.
PLEASE NOTE: While “can” in English can be used to express giving or asking for permissions as well as expressing an ability to do something, that is not the same in Korean. 도 되다 is used for giving or asking permissions and 수 있다 is used for expressing ability to do something.
- 한국어를 해도 돼요. – You can speak Korean (you are allowed)/ Even if you speak Korean, it’s ok.
- 한국어를 할 수 있어요. – You can speak Korean. (the ability of being able to speak)
While the English translation is the same, the meaning in Korean is completely different for both of these sentences. The first one expresses a permission or states that it is ok to speak Korean (perhaps not everyone in the room might know Korean) and the second sentence expresses the ability of that person as to whether they actually CAN speak Korean or not.
Examples
- 물을 마셔도 돼요. – You can drink water.
- 이 방에서 휴대폰을 사용해도 돼요. – You can use your mobile phone in this room.
- 일찍 나가도 돼요. – You can leave yesterday.
- 여기서 사진을 찍어도 돼요? – Can I take pictures here?
- 조금 늦어져도 돼요. – It’s okay if you’re a little late.
Negative sentences
Now, let’s have a look at how to form negative sentences. Following the previous structures and patterns, it would be a good guess to assume that “안 해도 돼요” might mean “I cannot do it”. However, you have to remember how this meaning came to be in Korean. So, let’s break down this sentence.
- 안 – Negative
- 해 – do
- 도 – even though
- 돼요 – it’s ok
To put this back together in English so that it makes any sense would be.
- 도 – Even though
- 안 – don’t
- 해 – do
- 돼요 – It’s ok
Now that we have rearranged the order a little bit, can you guess what the meaning might be?
Even though I don’t do it, it’s ok.
In other words…
I don’t have to do it.
Remember, not everything can be literally translated from Korean to English. Although you can find similarities in both, there are some differences as well. But breaking down the grammar structure will help you understand the intention behind it and so it will help you remember and use it correctly.
Examples
- 안 봐도 돼요. – I don’t have to see it./ Even if I don’t see it, it’s ok.
- 안 먹어도 돼요. – I don’t have to eat it. / Even if I don’t eat it, it’s ok.
- 안 가도 돼요. – I don’t have to go. /Even if I don’t go, it’s ok.
We will cover how to say “cannot” in the next lesson.
Activity 1
Fill in the blanks
- 거실에서 TV를 __________. – You can watch TV in the living room.
- 이 자리에 _________. – You can sit here.
- 이 옷을 __________. – You don’t have to wear these clothes.
- 아무때나 휴대폰을 __________. – You can use your mobile phone anytime.
- 친구를 __________. – You can invite a friend.
Activity 1 Answers
- 거실에서 TV를 봐도 돼요. – You can watch TV in the living room.
- 이 자리에 앉아도 돼요. – You can sit here.
- 이 옷을 안 입어도 돼요. – You don’t have to wear these clothes.
- 아무때나 휴대폰을 사용해도 돼요. – You can use your mobile phone anytime.
- 친구를 초대해도 돼요. – You can invite a friend.