Your goal
Ask whether an action is permitted and identify exactly what the reply allows.
Asking is not the same as receiving permission. Say what you want to do and where, then wait for the responsible person’s answer.
Before you start
- 허락
- permission to do something
- 시설·담당자
- shared facility · person responsible
- 앉다 → 앉아요
- sit down
- 열다 → 열어요
- open a window or door
- 사용하다
- use an object or facility
- 찍다 → 찍어요
- take a photograph
- 답을 기다려요
- wait for the other person’s reply
- 프린터
- printer
- 확인할게요
- I will check
Explore the situation
Fictional facility notice
Saebom Study Room · asking to use things
Read the place, people and time together.
- This room
의자에 앉거나 창문을 열기 전에 직원에게 물어보세요.
Ask staff before using a chair or opening a window.
- Computer
컴퓨터 사용은 직원이 확인한 뒤 답합니다.
While staff check, permission remains unconfirmed.
- Not specified
사진 촬영 안내는 없습니다.
Ask separately whether photos are allowed.
Yuna wants to use an empty chair in Saebom Study Room. An empty chair alone does not confirm permission to use it.
Learn the expressions
To practise asking permission, take the familiar -아요/-어요 form, remove 요, and add 도 돼요?: 앉아요 → 앉아도 돼요?; 열어요 → 열어도 돼요?; 사용해요 → 사용해도 돼요?
| Purpose | Expression |
|---|---|
| Ask to sit | 여기 앉아도 돼요? |
| Ask to open a window | 창문을 열어도 돼요? |
| Give permission for that action | 네. 열어도 돼요. |
| Not yet checked | 담당자에게 물어보세요. |
Read the conversation
An empty chair
여기 앉아도 돼요?
Show meaning
May I sit here?
네. 앉아도 돼요.
Show meaning
Yes, you may sit here.
A request awaiting an answer
컴퓨터를 사용해도 돼요?
Show meaning
May I use the computer?
잠깐만 기다려 주세요. 확인할게요.
Show meaning
Please wait a moment. I will check. This is not permission yet.
Build a sentence
Change the card details and try a sentence before revealing the example. Then assemble the sentence pieces.
Change the facts and express them
Sitting down
- Action
- 여기 앉기
Example and explanation
여기 앉아도 돼요?
Ask about the place and action.
Staff reply
Permission
- Staff
- 네. 사용해도 돼요.
Example and explanation
컴퓨터를 사용해도 돼요.
Permission was given.
Checking
- Staff
- 잠깐만 기다려 주세요. 확인할게요.
Example and explanation
잠깐만 기다려 주세요.
While checking, permission remains unknown.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Ask permission to sit here.
Sentence pieces
- 앉아도
- 여기
- 돼요?
2. Ask permission to open the window.
Sentence pieces
- 을
- 돼요?
- 창문
- 열어도
Practice
Choose a response that fits the situation using the expressions you learned.
1. You want to sit on an empty chair. Which asks permission?
- 여기 의자가 없어요.
- 여기 앉아도 돼요?
- 여기 앉았어요.
2. Staff: “네. 창문을 열어도 돼요.” What is allowed?
- Computer use
- Every action in every facility
- Opening the window
3. You ask to use a computer and hear “I will check.” What is the status?
- Awaiting an answer
- Permission confirmed
- Required to use it
4. Choose the meaning of “난방이 안 돼요.”
- An order to turn on heating
- The heating does not work
- You may open a window
Try a new situation
Use the new role information. Write the required details in Korean and try saying them.
Tasks
Try the tasks first, then compare with the answers and examples in step 10.
1. New role: Jun. Ask permission to sit on a chair in another room, using 여기. End your question with a question mark (?).
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
2. Ask permission to use the computer in the new room. End your question with a question mark (?).
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
3. Now act as staff. Opening this window is allowed. Reply with 네 and the action.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
4. No photo rule is given. Ask whether taking a photo here is allowed. End your question with a question mark (?).
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
Check your learning
Read the new conditions and distinguish the key information.
1. New scene: you want to take a photo here. Which question fits?
- 여기에서 사진을 찍었어요.
- 여기에서 사진이 없어요.
- 여기에서 사진을 찍어도 돼요?
2. The answer to “사용해도 돼요?” is “네. 사용해도 돼요.” What does it mean?
- It is okay to use it
- You must use it
- Use has finished
3. Turn 열어요 into a permission question.
- 열어 돼요?
- 열어도 돼요?
- 열도 돼요?
4. Turn 앉아요 into a permission question.
- 앉어도 돼요?
- 앉아요도 돼요?
- 앉아도 돼요?
5. Choose the correct spelling.
- 사용해도 돼요?
- 사용해도 되요?
- 사용해도 돼요를?
6. There is no printer rule on the notice. What should you ask?
- 프린터를 사용했어요.
- 프린터를 사용해도 돼요?
- 프린터를 사용해도 돼요.
Reflect on your reading
Tick only what you actually checked. Feedback from another person is optional and is not required to finish the lesson.
Answers and explanations
Show answers and explanations
Practice questions
1. You want to sit on an empty chair. Which asks permission?
Answer: 여기 앉아도 돼요?
It asks permission for the intended action.
- 여기 의자가 없어요. — This says there is no chair.
- 여기 앉았어요. — This reports a past action.
2. Staff: “네. 창문을 열어도 돼요.” What is allowed?
Answer: Opening the window
The reply concerns opening the window.
- Computer use — It is not an answer about computers.
- Every action in every facility — Do not broaden the permission.
3. You ask to use a computer and hear “I will check.” What is the status?
Answer: Awaiting an answer
Checking is not permission.
- Permission confirmed — No affirmative answer was given.
- Required to use it — No obligation to use it was stated.
4. Choose the meaning of “난방이 안 돼요.”
Answer: The heating does not work
This describes a function’s condition.
- An order to turn on heating — It is not an order.
- You may open a window — It does not permit opening a window.
Learning check
1. New scene: you want to take a photo here. Which question fits?
Answer: 여기에서 사진을 찍어도 돼요?
It includes the place and asks permission.
- 여기에서 사진을 찍었어요. — It reports the past instead of asking.
- 여기에서 사진이 없어요. — It describes absence of photos.
2. The answer to “사용해도 돼요?” is “네. 사용해도 돼요.” What does it mean?
Answer: It is okay to use it
Permission means the action is allowed.
- You must use it — Permission is not an obligation.
- Use has finished — Completion was not stated.
3. Turn 열어요 into a permission question.
Answer: 열어도 돼요?
Add 도 돼요? after 열어.
- 열어 돼요? — The 도 is missing.
- 열도 돼요? — The 어 is missing.
4. Turn 앉아요 into a permission question.
Answer: 앉아도 돼요?
Keep the 아 from 앉아요.
- 앉어도 돼요? — The form here is 앉아도.
- 앉아요도 돼요? — Do not add 도 after 요.
5. Choose the correct spelling.
Answer: 사용해도 돼요?
되어요 contracts to 돼요.
- 사용해도 되요? — Use 돼요, not 되요.
- 사용해도 돼요를? — No object particle follows this question.
6. There is no printer rule on the notice. What should you ask?
Answer: 프린터를 사용해도 돼요?
Ask to confirm missing information.
- 프린터를 사용했어요. — It reports that you already used it.
- 프린터를 사용해도 돼요. — This asserts permission without asking.
Example answers
Written responses are examples. Other wording can also meet the same conditions.
1. New role: Jun. Ask permission to sit on a chair in another room, using 여기. End your question with a question mark (?).
여기 앉아도 돼요?
여기에 앉아도 돼요?
In this scene, ask first even when the chair is empty.
2. Ask permission to use the computer in the new room. End your question with a question mark (?).
컴퓨터를 사용해도 돼요?
여기 컴퓨터를 사용해도 돼요?
Ask using 사용해도 돼요?.
3. Now act as staff. Opening this window is allowed. Reply with 네 and the action.
네. 창문을 열어도 돼요.
네. 열어도 돼요.
Allow only the stated window action.
4. No photo rule is given. Ask whether taking a photo here is allowed. End your question with a question mark (?).
여기에서 사진을 찍어도 돼요?
여기서 사진을 찍어도 돼요?
사진을 찍어도 돼요?
Missing information does not grant permission.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Ask permission to sit here.
여기 앉아도 돼요?
앉아도 돼요? asks permission.
2. Ask permission to open the window.
창문을 열어도 돼요?
Change 열어요 to 열어도 돼요?.
Review and continue
Come back to these
Recall with the example closed
Ask whether an action is permitted and identify exactly what the reply allows.
Change one detail
Change a person, action or time and make two sentences.
Combine with earlier expressions
Make a short exchange with a question and response.
Review what felt difficult
Review this expressionAsk for and give permission →Earlier learningReconnect the foundation →Look separately at activity completion and core learning results.