아/어도 되다

Overview

The Korean grammar pattern -아/어도 되다 is a fundamental expression used to convey permission or approval for a particular action or state. It indicates that something is allowed, acceptable, or that there are no objections to it.

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Usage

-아/어도 되다 is primarily used to:

1. Grant permission: When you want to tell someone that they are allowed to do something.
   • Example: "여기 앉아도 돼요." (You may sit here.)
2. Ask for permission: When you want to inquire if an action is permissible.
   • Example: "이거 먹어도 돼요?" (May I eat this?)
3. State that something is acceptable/okay: To express that a certain situation or action is not problematic.
   • Example: "늦게 와도 괜찮아요." (It's okay if you come late.)

This pattern emphasizes authorization or the absence of prohibition, rather than just the ability to perform an action. It's the opposite of -(으)면 안 되다 (prohibition).

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Conjugation Rules

The connective ending -아/어도 되다 attaches to verb and adjective stems following the standard 아/어/여 conjugation rules.

1. If the last vowel of the stem is ㅏ or ㅗ, add -아도 되다.
   • Example: 앉다 (to sit) → 앉 + 아도 되다 → 앉아도 되다
   • Example: 오다 (to come) → 오 + 아도 되다 → 와도 되다 (오 + 아 → 와)
2. If the last vowel of the stem is anything other than ㅏ or ㅗ, add -어도 되다.
   • Example: 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + 어도 되다 → 먹어도 되다
   • Example: 읽다 (to read) → 읽 + 어도 되다 → 읽어도 되다
3. If the stem ends in 하다, it changes to -해도 되다. (This is a contraction of 하여도 되다.)
   • Example: 공부하다 (to study) → 공부하 + 여도 되다 → 공부해도 되다
   • Example: 운동하다 (to exercise) → 운동하 + 여도 되다 → 운동해도 되다

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Knowledge Plus

• Asking for permission: When asking a question with -아/어도 되다?, you are directly inquiring about whether an action is allowed. The common answer for granting permission is 네, -아/어도 돼요. or 네, 괜찮아요. For denying permission, you would typically say 아니요, 안 돼요. or 아니요, -(으)면 안 돼요.
• Contrast with -아/어도 좋다: While -아/어도 좋다 also expresses permission, -아/어도 되다 is generally more common and direct for granting or asking for permission in everyday conversation. -아/어도 좋다 can sometimes carry a slightly softer or more advisory nuance, meaning "it's good if you do X" or "it's fine to do X."
• Distinction from -(으)ㄹ 수 있다: Don't confuse -아/어도 되다 with -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 (can/to be able to). While both can be translated with "can" in English, -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 refers to ability or possibility, whereas -아/어도 되다 refers to permission or authorization.
  • Example: 한국말 할 수 있어요? (Can you speak Korean? - Ability)
  • Example: 여기 앉아도 돼요? (May I sit here? - Permission)