-아/어도 되다
Quick answer: -아/어도 되다 means may — asking for or giving permission.
How to form it
Stem ending in ㅏ or ㅗ → -아도 되다 · any other stem → -어도 되다 · 하다 → 해도 되다
In Korean: ㅏㅗ → -아도 되다 그 밖 → -어도 되다 하다 → 해도 되다
What to know
In level 1 you asked with -(으)ㄹ까요? or just did the thing. -아/어도 되다 is the plain way to ask permission of a stranger, and it is what the answer comes back in too: 네, 돼요 or 아니요, 안 돼요. Note that 되다 here does not mean «to become».
Examples
- 여기 앉아도 돼요?May I sit here?
- 여기에서 통화해도 돼요?May I take a call here?
- 이 자리를 이용해도 돼요.You may use this seat.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 2 (TOPIK I), Lesson 21: 여기 앉아도 돼요? — May I sit here?. Also in the Level 2 book.
Practise -아/어도 되다 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 2, Lesson 21 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.