Breakdown of kadeureul sayonghamyeon yeongsujeungeul imeillo badeul sudo isseoyo.
~을~eul
object particle
~를~reul
object particle
있다issda
to be
받다batda
to receive
이메일imeil
email
~로~ro
instrumental particle
카드kadeu
card
사용하다sayonghada
to use
~면~myeon
if
영수증yeongsujeung
receipt
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Questions & Answers about kadeureul sayonghamyeon yeongsujeungeul imeillo badeul sudo isseoyo.
What does -면 mean in 사용하면, and why is the conditional ending is used here?
The ending -면 attaches to the verb stem to express a condition, similar to “if” or “when” in English. Here, 사용하다 (“to use”) + -면 becomes 사용하면, meaning “if you use.” The sentence sets up the condition that if you use a card, then you can receive the receipt by email.
How do the particles -을/를 and -로 function in 영수증을 이메일로 받다?
- -을/를 is the object marker. 영수증을 shows that 영수증 (“receipt”) is what you receive.
- -로 marks the means or direction. 이메일로 means “by email” or “to your email.”
So 영수증을 이메일로 받다 literally means “receive the receipt by email.”
What does -을 수도 있어요 express in 받을 수도 있어요?
-을 수도 있다/있어요 adds a sense of possibility or option. 받을 수도 있어요 means “you can receive it” or “it’s possible to receive it.” It doesn’t state that you will definitely receive it—rather, it highlights that this is one available way.
What nuance does the 도 in 받을 수도 있어요 add?
The 도 in 수도 (“also possible”) emphasizes that this is also an option. In this context, it implies “in addition to getting a paper receipt, you can also receive it by email.”
Why is there no explicit subject in this sentence?
Korean often omits the subject when it’s clear from context. Here, the implied subject is “you” (the customer). Omitting the subject makes the sentence more natural and concise in everyday conversation or customer service contexts.
Could you say 영수증을 이메일로도 받을 수 있어요 instead? Is the meaning the same?
Yes. 영수증을 이메일로도 받을 수 있어요 is also correct and carries essentially the same meaning. Placing 도 after 이메일로 shifts the emphasis slightly to “by email” as one of the possible delivery methods, but the overall idea—that you can receive your receipt via email—remains unchanged.
How would you say this sentence in a more formal or honorific style?
To sound more formal and polite—especially in customer‐facing situations—you can use honorific endings:
카드를 사용하시면 영수증을 이메일로 받으실 수도 있습니다.
- -시면 is the honorific conditional.
- 받으실 수도 있습니다 switches to the honorific/polite potential form.
- 습니다 is the formal declarative ending.