Which one should you use?
While 해도 돼요 is a standard way to ask permission, other forms exist depending on the level of politeness required. The formal form ~-(을/를) 해도 되나요? translates to "Is it okay if I do" and is a polite way to seek permission, whereas ~-(으)ㄹ 수 있을까요? is a polite way to ask "Can I". In informal settings, you may use ~-(으)ㄹ 수 있을까? for "Can I" or ~-(을/를) 해도 돼? for "Is it okay if I do?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For highly formal situations, such as business settings or when speaking to superiors, use 해도 되겠습니까? For casual or informal situations, such as speaking with friends or people younger than you, use 해도 돼?
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the phrase 해도 돼요? to ask for permission, you must use a rising intonation at the end of the sentence, turning the statement into a question.
How do you pronounce it?
haedo dwaeyo
When do people say it?
When someone asks for permission, a standard way to grant it is to say 네, 해도 돼요 (Yes, it is okay to do so). To deny permission, you can say 안 돼요 (It is not okay/It is not allowed).
Did you know?
- The word 해도 in this phrase is a homonym of the Sino-Korean word 海圖, which means 'sea chart' or 'nautical chart'.
- When asking 해도 돼요?, a Korean speaker might accompany the phrase with a slight nod or a tilt of the head to soften the request and appear more humble.
- The refusal 안 돼요 is very strong and can sound like a flat 'No' or 'It is forbidden', which might feel more blunt than the English 'You can't'.
Examples in context
- 질문 해도 돼요?Can I ask you a question?This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask for permission to ask a question.Tatoeba #13177778 by atitarev, translation #795220 by CK
- 친구들과 함께 갈 수 있을까요?Can I go with my friends?
- 방에 들어와도 되나요?Can I come into the room?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 해도, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
