Which one should you use?
The phrase 질문 하나 해도 돼요? specifically translates to "Can I ask one question?" because it includes the word for "one". If you remove 하나, the phrase 질문 해도 돼요? becomes more general, meaning "Can I ask a question?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
질문 하나 해도 돼요? is a standard polite form. For a more indirect and even softer polite tone, you can use 질문 하나 해도 될까요? In formal situations, use 질문을 드려도 될까요? or 질문 좀 해도 되겠습니까? Conversely, if you are speaking to friends or people younger than you, you should use the informal versions 질문 좀 해도 돼? or 질문 좀 해도 되지?
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the word 좀 to your request helps to soften the tone and makes the request sound more polite.
How do you pronounce it?
jilmun hana haedo dwaeyo?
When do people say it?
If someone asks you this, a direct way to respond with "Yes, you can" is to say 네, 돼요.
Did you know?
- While 질문 하나 해도 돼요? translates to 'Can I ask one question?', Koreans often use the number 'one' even when they intend to ask multiple things, simply to sound more modest and less burdensome.
- In a formal setting, instead of using the verb 'to do' (하다), you might use the humble verb 드리다, which literally means 'to give' to a superior.
- The word 질문 shares the exact same Chinese characters as the Japanese word for 'question', written as 質問.
Examples in context
- 선생님, 질문 좀 해도 돼요?Teacher, can I ask a question, please?
- 할머니, 질문을 드려도 될까요?Grandmother, may I ask a question?
- 형, 질문 좀 해도 되겠니?Brother, can I ask a question?
- 질문 하나 해도 돼요?jilmun hana haedo dwaeyo?Can I ask a question?
- 선생님, 질문 하나 해도 돼요?seonsaengnim, jilmun hana haedo dwaeyo?Teacher, can I ask a question?
- 잠깐 질문 하나 해도 돼요?jamkkan jilmun hana haedo dwaeyo?Can I ask a question for a moment?
Example conversation
Jihoon wants to ask Seoyeon about a homework assignment.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨, 질문 하나 해도 돼요?Seoyeon-ssi, jilmun hana haedo dwaeyo?Seoyeon, can I ask a question?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 지훈 씨. 무슨 일이에요?ne, Jihoon-ssi. museun irieyo?Yes, Jihoon. What is it?
- 지훈 Ji-hun숙제가 너무 어려워요.sukjega neomu eoryeowoyo.The homework is too difficult.
- 서연 Seo-yeon제가 도와줄까요?jega dowajulkayo?Shall I help you?
