Asking for Permission: 'Is it okay?'

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TL;DR 🦄

❓ -아/어도 돼요? [-a/eo-do dwae-yo?] — "Is it okay if I...? / May I...?"

📸 사진 찍어도 돼요? [sa-jin jji-geo-do dwae-yo?] — "May I take a photo?"

✅ 네, 돼요/괜찮아요 [ne, dwae-yo/gwaen-cha-na-yo] — "Yes, that's fine"

🙅 안 돼요 [an dwae-yo] — "No, you may not"

🚪 들어가도 될까요? [deu-reo-ga-do doel-kka-yo?] — "May I come in?"

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Practice permission phrases at the Korean Helper Widgets — useful in shops, offices, and homes! 🙋

🌈 The Big Picture

To ask permission, attach -아/어도 돼요? ("is it okay if I...?") to a verb stem: 먹다 → 먹어도 돼요? ("may I eat?"), 앉다 → 앉아도 돼요? ("may I sit?"). The softer version -아/어도 될까요? ("would it be okay if...?") sounds even more polite and tentative. 🙋

🎭 Saying Yes and No

Responses to permission questions:

네, 돼요 [ne, dwae-yo] — "yes, that's fine" ✅

네, 괜찮아요 [ne, gwaen-cha-na-yo] — "yes, it's okay" 👍

그럼요 [geu-reo-myo] — "of course!" 😄

아니요, 안 돼요 [a-ni-yo, an dwae-yo] — "no, you may not" 🙅

죄송한데 좀 어려워요 [joe-song-han-de jom eo-ryeo-wo-yo] — "sorry, that's a bit difficult" (soft no) 😅

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

들어가도 돼요? [deu-reo-ga-do dwae-yo?] — may I come in? 🚪

사진 찍어도 돼요? [sa-jin jji-geo-do dwae-yo?] — may I take a photo? 📸

여기 앉아도 돼요? [yeo-gi an-ja-do dwae-yo?] — may I sit here? 🪑

이거 먹어도 돼요? [i-geo meo-geo-do dwae-yo?] — may I eat this? 🍪

창문 열어도 될까요? [chang-mun yeo-reo-do doel-kka-yo?] — would it be okay to open the window? 🪟

네, 그럼요 [ne, geu-reo-myo] — yes, of course! 😄

네, 그렇게 하세요 [ne, geu-reo-ke ha-se-yo] — yes, go ahead 👍

죄송한데 안 돼요 [joe-song-han-de an dwae-yo] — sorry, that's not allowed 🙅

잠깐 써도 돼요? [jam-kkan sseo-do dwae-yo?] — may I use it for a moment? ✋

먼저 가도 돼요? [meon-jeo ga-do dwae-yo?] — may I go first/ahead? 🚶

🛠️ Putting It Together

A: 여기 앉아도 돼요? B: 네, 앉으세요. [A: yeo-gi an-ja-do dwae-yo? B: ne, an-jeu-se-yo.]

A: "May I sit here?" B: "Yes, please sit." 🪑 — 앉으세요 is the imperative response.

A: 사진 찍어도 될까요? B: 죄송한데 여기서는 사진 촬영이 안 돼요. [A: sa-jin jji-geo-do doel-kka-yo? B: joe-song-han-de yeo-gi-seo-neun sa-jin chwa-ryeong-i an dwae-yo.]

A: "Would it be okay to take a photo?" B: "Sorry, photography isn't allowed here." 🙅 — 죄송한데 softens the refusal.

A: 잠깐 화장실 좀 써도 돼요? B: 그럼요, 저쪽에 있어요. [A: jam-kkan hwa-jang-sil jom sseo-do dwae-yo? B: geu-reo-myo, jeo-jjo-ge i-sseo-yo.]

A: "May I use the bathroom for a moment?" B: "Of course, it's over there." ✋ — 그럼요 = enthusiastic "of course!"

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles!

민수: 저기, 여기 앉아도 돼요?

[Minsu: jeo-gi, yeo-gi an-ja-do dwae-yo?]

Minsu: "Excuse me, may I sit here?"

지은: 네, 앉으세요. 자리 비어 있어요.

[Jieun: ne, an-jeu-se-yo. ja-ri bi-eo i-sseo-yo.]

Jieun: "Yes, please sit. The seat is empty."

민수: 감사합니다. 그리고... 창문 좀 열어도 될까요? 좀 더워서요.

[Minsu: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. geu-ri-go... chang-mun jom yeo-reo-do doel-kka-yo? jom deo-wo-seo-yo.]

Minsu: "Thank you. And... would it be okay to open the window? It's a bit hot."

지은: 그럼요, 여세요.

[Jieun: geu-reo-myo, yeo-se-yo.]

Jieun: "Of course, go ahead and open it."

민수: 감사합니다. 시원해서 좋네요.

[Minsu: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. si-won-hae-seo jo-ne-yo.]

Minsu: "Thanks. It's nice and cool now."

지은: 맞아요, 훨씬 좋아요.

[Jieun: ma-ja-yo, hwol-ssin jo-a-yo.]

Jieun: "Right, much better."

🧭 Speaking Tip

Adding -(으)ㄹ까요? to make -아/어도 될까요? instead of -아/어도 돼요? sounds gentler and more tentative — great for asking favors of strangers or in formal settings. The response 그럼요 ("of course!") is warmer than a plain 네 and shows enthusiasm to help. 🙋

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Saying 할 수 있어요? ("are you able to?") when asking permission → ✅ Use 해도 돼요? for "may I," not ability.

❌ Refusing too bluntly with just 안 돼요 → ✅ Soften with 죄송한데 + reason: 죄송한데 여기서는 안 돼요.

❌ Forgetting the verb stem changes: 먹다 → 먹어도, 가다 → 가도, 하다 → 해도 → ✅ Match vowel harmony (ㅏ/ㅗ → 아도, else → 어도, 하다 → 해도).

❌ Using 돼요 and 되요 interchangeably in writing → ✅ The correct spelling is 돼요 (from 되어요).

You can now ask politely for almost anything — 화이팅! 🙋✨

Try this exercise

Instructions: Form the correct permission question or response for each situation.

1. Translate: "May I come in?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

들어가도 돼요? [deu-reo-ga-do dwae-yo?]

2. Translate: "May I take a photo?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

사진 찍어도 돼요? [sa-jin jji-geo-do dwae-yo?]

3. Fill in: 여기 ＿＿＿＿도 돼요? ("May I sit here?")

Answer

앉아 [an-ja]

4. Translate: "Yes, of course!" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

네, 그럼요! [ne, geu-reo-myo!]

5. True or False: 안 돼요 means "that's not allowed."

Answer

True

6. Translate: "Would it be okay to open the window?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

창문 열어도 될까요? [chang-mun yeo-reo-do doel-kka-yo?]

7. Fill in: 하다 → ＿＿＿＿도 돼요? ("may I do it?")

Answer

해 [hae]

8. Translate: "Sorry, that's not allowed here." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

죄송한데 여기서는 안 돼요 [joe-song-han-de yeo-gi-seo-neun an dwae-yo]

9. True or False: -아/어도 될까요? is more tentative/polite than -아/어도 돼요?.

Answer

True

10. Practice saying this out loud: 이거 좀 먹어도 돼요? 너무 맛있어 보여서요. [i-geo jom meo-geo-do dwae-yo? neo-mu ma-si-sseo bo-yeo-seo-yo.]

Answer

"May I eat this? It looks so delicious." → A polite request with a reason!

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Vocabulary Box

-아/어도 돼요? → may I...?

-아/어도 될까요? → would it be okay...?

그럼요 [geu-reo-myo] → of course

안 돼요 [an dwae-yo] → not allowed

앉다 [an-da] → sit

열다 [yeol-da] → open

찍다 [jjik-da] → take (a photo)

쓰다 [sseu-da] → use

비어 있다 [bi-eo it-da] → be empty/vacant

촬영 [chwa-ryeong] → filming/photography

Pitfalls 💡

해도 돼요? not 할 수 있어요?

soften refusals

돼요 not 되요

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Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀

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🎯 Practice Hub — Asking for Permission (해도 돼요?)

안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's practice asking politely! 🙋✨

🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — Asking Permission ❓

A. Translate: "May I use this pen?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

이 펜 써도 돼요? [i pen sseo-do dwae-yo?]

B. Translate: "May I ask a question?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

질문해도 돼요? [jil-mun-hae-do dwae-yo?]

C. Fill in: 잠깐 ＿＿＿＿도 돼요? ("May I take a quick break?")

Answer

쉬어 [swi-eo]

D. True or False: 질문하다 means "to ask a question."

Answer

True

E. Translate: "May I go home a bit early today?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

오늘 좀 일찍 집에 가도 돼요? [o-neul jom il-jjik ji-be ga-do dwae-yo?]

F. Fill in: 여기 ＿＿＿＿ 놔도 돼요? ("May I leave my bag here?")

Answer

가방 [ga-bang]

G. True or False: 놓다/놔도 돼요? means "may I put/leave [it]?"

Answer

True

H. Translate: "May I try this on?" (clothing) ＿＿＿＿

Answer

이거 입어 봐도 돼요? [i-geo i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo?]

I. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 봐도 돼요? means "may I try [doing]?"

Answer

-아/어 + 보다 → -아/어 봐도 돼요?

J. Practice saying this out loud: 이거 한번 입어 봐도 돼요? 사이즈가 맞는지 보고 싶어서요. [i-geo han-beon i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo? sa-i-jeu-ga ma-neun-ji bo-go si-peo-seo-yo.]

Answer

"May I try this on once? I want to see if the size fits." → Perfect for shopping!

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Quick Reference:

-아/어도 돼요?

-아/어 봐도 돼요? = may I try?

질문하다/놓다/입다

Exercise 2 — Responding to Requests ✅

A. Translate: "Yes, go right ahead." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

네, 그렇게 하세요 [ne, geu-reo-ke ha-se-yo]

B. Translate: "Sure, no problem." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

네, 문제없어요 [ne, mun-je-eop-seo-yo]

C. Fill in: 죄송한데 지금은 좀 ＿＿＿＿. ("Sorry, right now it's a bit difficult.")

Answer

어려워요 [eo-ryeo-wo-yo]

D. True or False: 문제없어요 means "no problem."

Answer

True

E. Translate: "Sorry, but this seat is taken." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

죄송한데 여기는 자리가 있어요 [joe-song-han-de yeo-gi-neun ja-ri-ga i-sseo-yo]

F. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 자리는 비어 있어요. ("That seat over there is empty.")

Answer

저쪽 [jeo-jjok]

G. True or False: 자리가 있다 can mean "the seat is taken/occupied."

Answer

True

H. Translate: "Of course, feel free to use it." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

그럼요, 편하게 쓰세요 [geu-reo-myo, pyeon-ha-ge sseu-se-yo]

I. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 쓰세요. means "use it comfortably/freely."

Answer

편하게 [pyeon-ha-ge]

J. Practice saying this out loud: 아, 죄송한데 이 자리는 누가 있어요. 저쪽 자리는 비어 있으니까 거기 앉으세요. [a, joe-song-han-de i ja-ri-neun nu-ga i-sseo-yo. jeo-jjok ja-ri-neun bi-eo i-sseu-ni-kka geo-gi an-jeu-se-yo.]

Answer

"Oh, sorry, someone's sitting here. That seat over there is empty so please sit there." → Polite redirection!

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Quick Reference:

그렇게 하세요/문제없어요

편하게 쓰세요

자리가 있다 = occupied

Exercise 3 — Full Permission Conversations 🗣️

A. Ask a coworker if you can leave the office early because of an appointment. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

오늘 약속이 있어서 좀 일찍 퇴근해도 될까요? [o-neul yak-so-gi i-sseo-seo jom il-jjik twe-geun-hae-do doel-kka-yo?]

B. Fill in: 네, ＿＿＿＿ 가세요. ("Yes, go ahead and leave.")

Answer

먼저 [meon-jeo]

C. True or False: 퇴근하다 means "to leave work/finish work."

Answer

True

D. Translate: "Would it be okay if I borrowed this for a day?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

이거 하루만 빌려도 될까요? [i-geo ha-ru-man bil-lyeo-do doel-kka-yo?]

E. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 빌려줄게요. ("I'll lend it to you.")

Answer

(생략 가능) — simply 빌려줄게요 [bil-lyeo-jul-ge-yo]

F. True or False: 빌리다 means "to borrow" and 빌려주다 means "to lend."

Answer

True

G. Translate: "May I ask you something personal?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

개인적인 질문 좀 해도 될까요? [gae-in-jeo-gin jil-mun jom hae-do doel-kka-yo?]

H. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿적인 질문이에요. ("It's a personal question.")

Answer

개인 [gae-in]

I. True or False: 개인적인 means "personal."

Answer

True

J. Practice saying this out loud: 실례지만 개인적인 질문 좀 해도 될까요? 대답하기 어려우면 안 해도 괜찮아요. [sil-lye-ji-man gae-in-jeo-gin jil-mun jom hae-do doel-kka-yo? dae-da-pa-gi eo-ryeo-u-myeon an hae-do gwaen-cha-na-yo.]

Answer

"Excuse me, but may I ask you a personal question? If it's hard to answer, you don't have to." → Extra polite and considerate!

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Everyday Cheat Sheet:

퇴근하다/빌리다/빌려주다

개인적인 질문

실례지만 = excuse me, but

🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] Now you can politely ask for permission in any situation — 화이팅! 🙋✨