Can I..?

This pattern is used to ask for permission to do something. It's the Korean equivalent of "Can I...?" or "Is it okay if I...?"

Meaning & Structure

It combines a verb with -아/어도 되다.

-아/어도 means "even if..."

되다 means "to be okay" or "to be permissible."

So, 사진 찍어도 돼요? literally means, "Even if I take a picture, is it okay?"

Formation Rules

Attach -아/어도 되다 to the verb stem:

Verb stems ending in ㅏ or ㅗ: Add -아도 되다.

가다 (to go) → 가도 되다

앉다 (to sit) → 앉아도 되다

Verb stems with other vowels: Add -어도 되다.

먹다 (to eat) → 먹어도 되다

찍다 (to take a picture) → 찍어도 되다

하다 verbs: Change to 해도 되다.

전화하다 (to call) → 전화해도 되다

말하다 (to speak) → 말해도 되다

여기 앉아도 돼? / 사진 찍어도 돼요? / 이거 내가 가져도 돼? / 솔직하게 말해도 돼요?

Knowing how to respond is just as important as knowing how to ask. Here are common ways to grant or deny permission.

Giving Permission (Affirmative)

Simple & Direct: 네, 돼요. (Yes, you can.) or 응, 돼. (Yeah, you can.)

Natural & Common: 네, 괜찮아요. (Yes, it's fine.) or 그럼요. (Of course.)

Repeating the verb (very clear): 네, 앉아도 돼요. (Yes, you can sit.)

Denying Permission (Negative)

Saying 아니요, 안 돼요 (No, you can't) is very direct and can sound harsh. It's often better to soften the refusal.

Softer Refusal: 죄송하지만 안 돼요. (I'm sorry, but you can't.) or 미안하지만 좀... (Sorry, but it's a bit...)

Giving a Reason (most polite): This is a common way to refuse politely in Korean culture. For example, if someone asks to open a window:

죄송하지만 제가 좀 추워서요. (I'm sorry, but I'm a bit cold.)

여기 앉아도 돼요? - 네, 괜찮아요. 앉으세요. / 이거 먹어도 돼? - 응, 먹어. / 창문 열어도 돼요? - 죄송하지만 지금은 좀 곤란해요.

The politeness level of this pattern is controlled by the ending of 되다. The script lines show both the casual and standard polite forms.

Casual Form: -아/어도 돼?

Use -아/어도 돼? with close friends, family, or people younger than you. This is the 반말 (casual language) form.

Context: You're with a friend and want to try on their jacket.

You say: 이거 입어 봐도 돼? (Can I try this on?)

Polite Form: -아/어도 돼요?

Use -아/어도 돼요? in most everyday situations with adults, colleagues, store staff, or anyone you don't know well. This is the standard polite 해요체 form.

Context: You're in a museum and want to ask a staff member if photography is allowed.

You say: 사진 찍어도 돼요? (Can I take a picture?)

For very formal situations, you might hear -아/어도 됩니까?, but -아/어도 돼요? is far more common in daily conversation.

창문 열어도 돼? / 창문 열어도 돼요? / 먼저 퇴근해도 돼? / 먼저 퇴근해도 돼요?