안아봐도 돼요?
anabwado dwaeyo?
The English phrase "can I hug you?" is expressed in Korean as 안아봐도 돼요? (anabwado dwaeyo?)
This phrase is a polite request used to ask for permission to hug someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression 안아봐도 돼요? is composed of 안다 (to hug), -어 보다 (to try doing something) and -어도 되다 (to be okay/allowed to do something). Literally, it means "Is it okay if I try hugging (you)?"
Which one should you use?
You can also use 안아도 될까요? to be more formal. 한 번만 안아봐도 될까요? means "May I hug you just once?" In casual settings, 안아도 돼? is used and 좀 안아줘도 돼? is another informal expression used to ask for a hug.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this phrase with close friends or someone younger, change the polite ending 돼요? to the casual 돼?, resulting in 안아봐도 돼?
How do you pronounce it?
anabwado dwaeyo?
Did you know?
- The verb 안다 used in this phrase is a homonym for the verb 'to embrace' and the word for 'not' in a negative sentence. This creates linguistic puns in Korean poetry and songs regarding the tension between wanting to hold someone and not being able to.
- The word 안다 is used for both hugging and carrying a child. Because of this, asking 안아봐도 돼요? to a parent about their baby is a common way to ask if you can hold the child.
- Korean has a specific term 포옹 (po-ong) for a formal hug, but it is rarely used in spoken conversation. People almost exclusively use the verb 안다 when asking for a hug in real life.
Examples in context
- 저기요, 잠깐만요. 안아도 될까요?Excuse me, may I hug you for a moment?
- 네, 괜찮습니다.Yes, that's okay.
- 할아버지, 한 번만 안아봐도 될까요?Grandfather, may I hug you just once?
- 오늘 정말 힘들었어. 안아도 돼?Today was really tough. Can I have a hug?
- 너무 슬퍼 보여요. 안아봐도 돼요?neomu seulpeo boyeoyo. anabwado dwaeyo?You look so sad. Can I hug you?
- 기분이 울적한데, 안아봐도 돼요?gibuni uljeokhande, anabwado dwaeyo?I feel a bit down, can I hug you?
- 고마워요. 혹시 안아봐도 돼요?gomawoyo. hoksi anabwado dwaeyo?Thank you. By any chance, can I hug you?
Example conversation
Minjun comforts Minji after she has a difficult day.
- 민준 Min-jun오늘 정말 힘들었죠?oneul jeongmal himdeureotjyo?It was a really hard day, wasn't it?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 조금 지치네요.ne, jogeum jichineyo.Yes, I am a little exhausted.
- 민준 Min-jun위로해 주고 싶은데, 안아봐도 돼요?wirohae jugo sipeunde, anabwado dwaeyo?I want to comfort you, can I hug you?
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요, 민준 씨.gomawoyo, Minjun ssi.Thank you, Minjun.
