화장실에 가도 돼요?
hwajangsire gado dwaeyo?
The English phrase "may I go to the bathroom" is translated into Korean as 화장실에 가도 돼요? (hwajangsire gado dwaeyo?)
This phrase is a polite request used to ask for permission to use the restroom. While the word 화장실 literally means "toilet room," it is the standard, polite way to refer to the restroom in public and social settings.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 화장실에 가도 돼요? is composed of 화장실 (bathroom) + 에 (to) + 가도 (even if I go) + 돼요 (is it okay/allowed)?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For highly formal situations, you can use 화장실에 가도 될까요? to ask "May I go to the restroom?" or 화장실을 사용해도 될까요? to ask "May I use the restroom?" For an even more indirect and professional way to ask, "Would it be alright if I stepped away to the restroom?", use 화장실 좀 다녀와도 될까요? In casual settings with friends or people younger than you, use the informal version 화장실 가도 돼?
How does it change in a sentence?
The structure –아/어도 돼요? Is the standard grammatical pattern used to ask for permission in Korean.
How do you pronounce it?
hwajangsire gado dwaeyo?
Did you know?
- The word 화장실 contains the character 화장, which is also the word for 'makeup'.
- If you are in a very formal business setting, instead of asking to 'go' to the restroom, it is more elegant to use the verb 다녀오다, which literally means 'to go and come back'.
- When asking to go to the bathroom in a professional setting, adding the word 좀 (a little) makes the request sound softer and less demanding.
Examples in context
- 화장실에 가도 될까요?May I go to the restroom?
- 응, 가도 돼.Yeah, you can go.
- 화장실에 가도 돼요?hwajangsil-e gado dwaeyo?May I go to the bathroom?
- 선생님, 화장실에 가도 돼요?seonsaengnim, hwajangsil-e gado dwaeyo?Teacher, may I go to the bathroom?
- 지금 화장실에 가도 돼요?jigeum hwajangsil-e gado dwaeyo?May I go to the bathroom now?
Example conversation
Seoyeon is in a classroom with Minjun.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨, 화장실에 가도 돼요?Minjun ssi, hwajangsire gado dwaeyo?Minjun, may I go to the bathroom?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 가세요.ne, gaseyo.Yes, you may go.
- 서연 Seo-yeon감사합니다.gamsahamnida.Thank you.
- 민준 Min-jun천천히 다녀오세요.cheoncheonhi danyeooseyo.Take your time.
