Question 1

What grammar pattern is this using, and what does it express?

Accepted Answer

It uses the permission pattern V-아/어도 되다, which means “it’s okay/allowed to do V.” In questions, it politely asks for permission. Templates:
- V-아/어도 돼요? (polite)
- V-아/어도 될까요? (softer/more tentative)
Affirmative reply: 네, 써도 돼요. Negative: 아니요, 쓰면 안 돼요.

Question 2

Why is it 써도 and not 쓰도?

Accepted Answer

The verb 쓰다 follows the ㅡ-vowel rule. With -어도, you drop the ㅡ and add -어도, giving 써도 (쓰 + 어도 → 써도). This is the same pattern as:
- 크다 → 커도 (It’s okay even if it’s big)
- 바쁘다 → 바빠도 (Even if [I’m] busy)

Question 3

Why is it spelled 돼요 and not 되요?

Accepted Answer

It comes from 되다 + 어요 → 되어요 → 돼요. The only standard spelling is 돼요. Never write 되요. Pronounce 돼 like “dwae.”

Question 4

What’s the politeness level of this sentence?

Accepted Answer

The -요 ending makes it polite informal (friendly but respectful). Variants:
- Casual: 컴퓨터 써도 돼?
- More polite/softer: 컴퓨터 좀 써도 될까요?
- Formal: 컴퓨터를 써도 됩니까? / …되겠습니까?

Question 5

Do I have to include the object particle 를?

Accepted Answer

No. In everyday speech, dropping it is common: 컴퓨터 써도 돼요? is perfectly natural. Keeping 를 is a bit clearer/formal: 컴퓨터를 써도 돼요? Both are fine.

Question 6

Can I make it sound softer or more polite?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Add softeners and tentative endings:
- 컴퓨터 좀/잠깐만 써도 될까요?
- 혹시 컴퓨터를 써도 될까요?
These sound more considerate than a bare …돼요?

Question 7

What’s the difference between 쓰다, 사용하다, and 이용하다 here?

Accepted Answer

- 쓰다: everyday “use.” Most natural in conversation (컴퓨터를 쓰다).
- 사용하다: more formal/technical “use” (instructions, notices).
- 이용하다: “make use of” (services/facilities); sounds formal with devices but is acceptable.  
Examples: 컴퓨터를 사용해도 되나요? (formal feel), 컴퓨터를 이용해도 되나요? (service/facility nuance).

Question 8

Does 쓰다 also mean “to write” or “to wear”? Is that confusing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 쓰다 has multiple meanings: “use,” “write,” “wear (on head/face),” and “to be bitter.” Context disambiguates:
- 컴퓨터를 쓰다 = use a computer
- 편지를 쓰다 = write a letter
- 모자를 쓰다 = wear a hat
- 약이 쓰다 = the medicine is bitter

Question 9

Why is there no subject like “I”? How would I add it?

Accepted Answer

Korean usually drops obvious subjects. The understood subject here is “I.” If you want to be explicit, say 제가 컴퓨터를 써도 돼요? (with 제가 for “I” in subject position).

Question 10

Should I add the honorific -시- (e.g., 쓰셔도 돼요?)?

Accepted Answer

Only if you’re referring to the other person’s action.  
- Asking for your own permission: (제가) 써도 돼요? (no -시-)  
- Telling them they may use it: 쓰셔도 돼요. / 쓰세요.

Question 11

What’s the difference between 써도 돼요? and 쓰면 안 돼요?

Accepted Answer

- 써도 돼요? asks if it’s permitted.  
- 쓰면 안 돼요? asks if it’s prohibited (literally “If I use it, is that not allowed?”).  
For refusing permission, the natural response is 안 돼요 or 지금은 안 돼요.

Question 12

How do people typically answer this question?

Accepted Answer

- Granting permission: 네, 써도 돼요. / 네, 쓰세요. / 네, 그러세요.  
- Refusing: 지금은 안 돼요. / 죄송하지만 안 됩니다. / 미리 허락받아야 해요.

Question 13

Can I use the topic marker 는 instead of the object marker?

Accepted Answer

Yes, to create contrast or topic focus: 컴퓨터는 써도 돼요? (“As for the computer, is it okay to use it?”—perhaps implying something else isn’t allowed.)

Question 14

How is the whole sentence pronounced?

Accepted Answer

Rough guide: keom-pyu-teo-reul sseo-do dwae-yo?  
Tips:
- 써 = “ssuh” with a strong s (double ㅆ)  
- 돼 = “dwae,” not “dwe” or “doe”  
Use a rising intonation at the end for a yes/no question.

Question 15

Why is -요 only at the very end?

Accepted Answer

In Korean, the politeness ending attaches to the final verb/adjective of the sentence. The connective -어도 stays plain; 되다 carries -요, giving 돼요.

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