How to Ask and Give Permission in Korean: ~아/어도 돼요

You've learned how to say what you have to do. Now let's talk about what you're allowed to do.

~아/어도 돼요 is the go-to pattern for asking and giving permission in Korean. It covers "may I?", "is it okay if I?", "you can," and "it's fine to" - all in one clean structure.

And crucially, it's also how you say "you don't have to" - which is very different from "you must not." Getting these straight is one of the most important distinctions at A2 level.

What Does ~아/어도 돼요 Mean?

여기에 앉아도 돼요. It's okay to sit here. / You can sit here.

지금 가도 돼요? Is it okay if I go now? / May I go now?

How to Form ~아/어도 돼요

Same vowel rule as ~아요/어요 and ~아/어야 해요:

💡 Vowel contraction applies as always: 가 + 아도 = 가도 (not 가아도) 오 + 아도 = 와도

Conjugation Table

Asking Permission: ~아/어도 돼요?

To ask if something is allowed, simply raise your intonation - or add 괜찮아요? for a softer feel:

Giving Permission: ~아/어도 돼요

To give permission, use the same form as a statement:

"It's Okay Not To": ~지 않아도 돼요

This is one of the most important uses - and the one most learners confuse with "must not":

~지 않아도 돼요 = You don't have to / It's okay not to

💡 Shortened form also common in speech: 안 와도 돼요. = 오지 않아도 돼요. 안 먹어도 돼요. = 먹지 않아도 돼요.

The Three-Way Distinction - Must / Don't Have To / Must Not

This is the most important thing to get right at A2 level:

These three are completely different - and mixing them up causes serious misunderstandings.

❌ "You don't have to go" is NOT 가야 안 해요. ✅ It's 가지 않아도 돼요. / 안 가도 돼요.

❌ "You don't have to go" is NOT 가면 안 돼요. ✅ 가면 안 돼요 means "You must NOT go" - prohibition.

~아/어도 돼요 in Real Sentences

🏠 Everyday Situations

늦어도 괜찮아요. 천천히 와도 돼요.

• Natural: It's okay if you're late. You can come slowly.

다 못 먹겠어요. 남겨도 돼요?

• Natural: I can't finish it all. Is it okay to leave some?

제 우산 써도 돼요. 저는 괜찮아요.

• Natural: You can use my umbrella. I'm fine.

오늘은 쉬어도 돼요. 많이 피곤해 보여요.

• Natural: You can rest today. You look very tired.

🏢 Formal & Work Settings

회의 끝나고 가도 돼요?

• Natural: Is it okay to leave after the meeting?

이 자료 사용해도 돼요?

• Natural: Can I use these materials?

내일까지 보내도 될까요?

• Natural: Would it be okay to send it by tomorrow?

잠깐 자리를 비워도 될까요?

• Natural: May I step away for a moment?

✈️ Travel & Public Spaces

여기에서 사진 찍어도 돼요?

• Natural: Is it okay to take photos here?

이 좌석에 앉아도 돼요?

• Natural: May I sit in this seat?

짐을 여기 놔도 돼요?

• Natural: Is it okay to leave my luggage here?

카드로 결제해도 돼요?

• Natural: Is it okay to pay by card?

Real Conversations Using ~아/어도 돼요

📍 Conversation 1: At a café

A: 실례합니다. 여기 자리 있어요? (Excuse me. Is this seat available?)

B: 네, 앉아도 돼요. (Yes, you can sit.)

A: 감사해요. 혹시 콘센트 써도 돼요? (Thank you. Is it also okay to use the outlet?)

B: 물론이죠. 와이파이도 써도 돼요. 비밀번호는 계산대에 있어요. (Of course. You can use the WiFi too. The password is at the counter.)

📍 Conversation 2: Checking in with a friend

A: 오늘 저녁에 집에 와도 돼요? (Is it okay if I come to your place tonight?)

B: 당연하죠! 몇 시에 와요? (Of course! What time are you coming?)

A: 일곱 시쯤이요. 늦으면 안 돼요? (Around 7. Is it okay if I'm late?)

B: 괜찮아요. 천천히 와도 돼요. 저녁은 제가 만들게요. (It's fine. You can take your time. I'll make dinner.)

📍 Conversation 3: At work - reassuring a colleague

A: 이 프로젝트 마감이 언제예요? (When is the deadline for this project?)

B: 다음 주 금요일이에요. (Next Friday.)

A: 오늘 다 못 끝낼 것 같아요. (I don't think I can finish it all today.)

B: 괜찮아요. 오늘 다 하지 않아도 돼요. 내일 계속해도 돼요. (It's okay. You don't have to finish it all today. You can continue tomorrow.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Confusing "don't have to" with "must not"

안 가도 돼요. (You don't have to go - no obligation) 가면 안 돼요. (You must not go - prohibition)

These are completely opposite in meaning. Mix them up and you'll either unnecessarily alarm someone or fail to give an important warning.

❌ Mistake 2: Using 해도 돼요 with noun-only expressions

❌ 사진도 돼요? ✅ 사진 찍어도 돼요?

~아/어도 돼요 attaches to verbs - always include the verb.

❌ Mistake 3: Forgetting vowel contraction

❌ 가아도 돼요 ✅ 가도 돼요

Quick Practice

Translate using ~아/어도 돼요 or ~지 않아도 돼요:

1. May I open the window?
2. You can sit here.
3. You don't have to come tomorrow.
4. Is it okay to pay by card?
5. You don't have to worry.

Answers:

1. 창문 열어도 돼요?
2. 여기 앉아도 돼요.
3. 내일 오지 않아도 돼요. / 안 와도 돼요.
4. 카드로 결제해도 돼요?
5. 걱정하지 않아도 돼요. / 안 걱정해도 돼요.

Summary

~아/어도 돼요 is the language of permission - and permission shapes so much of daily interaction. Once this pattern feels natural, you'll navigate social situations, workplaces, and unfamiliar environments with much more confidence.