-어도 되다
-eodo doeda
may; be allowed to
Attaches to a verb or adjective stem to ask for or grant permission—'may/it's okay to.' The negative -으면 안 되다 means 'must not.'
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Adjective, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -아도 되다 · -여도 되다
Meanings
- 1
An expression used to indicate that a certain act is allowed or accepted.
어떤 행동에 대한 허락이나 허용을 나타낼 때 쓰는 표현.
Examples
여기 앉아도 되나요?
May I sit here?
만두피가 이렇게 얇아도 돼요?
Is it okay for the dumpling wrapper to be this thin?
잠깐 화장실 갔다 와도 될까요?
Could I go to the bathroom for a moment?
교실 청소 끝냈으면 집에 가도 돼.
If you've finished cleaning the classroom, you may go home.
이 옷 입어 봐도 되죠? 그럼요, 손님. 탈의실은 이쪽입니다.
Can I try this on? Of course, ma'am. The fitting room is this way.
승규에게 이 일을 맡겨도 될까?
Would it be okay to leave this task to Seunggyu?
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-어도 되다’ mean?
2. Which form means “may; be allowed to”?