yaksok siganeul byeongyeonghaedo dwaeyo?

object particle

Breakdown of yaksok siganeul byeongyeonghaedo dwaeyo?

• 시간: time
• 약속: appointment
• 되다: to be allowed

Questions & Answers about yaksok siganeul byeongyeonghaedo dwaeyo?

What does the grammar pattern V-아/어도 되다 mean in this sentence?

It grants permission: “Is it okay if (I) do V?” Here, 변경해도 돼요? literally means “Even if (I) change it, is it okay (does it become okay)?” So the whole sentence asks for permission to change the appointment time.

• Synonyms for giving/asking permission: V-아/어도 괜찮다, V-아/어도 될까요?
• Negative prohibition: V-(으)면 안 돼요 (“You must not/can’t V”)

Why is it spelled 돼요, not 되요?

Because 돼요 is the contraction of 되어요 (from 되다 + -어요). Standard Korean contracts it to 돼요.

• 돼요 = correct and natural
• 되어요 = correct but stiffer/less common in speech
• 되요 = incorrect spelling

How polite is …돼요?, and how can I make it softer or more formal?

• Casual: …돼? (friends, close age)
• Polite-neutral: …돼요? (most everyday situations)
• Softer/more deferential: …될까요? (tentative, considerate), …되나요? (asking if it’s possible/allowed as a fact)
• Very formal/business: …되겠습니까?, …가능할까요?, …괜찮을까요? Example: 약속 시간을 변경해도 될까요? sounds more considerate than …돼요?

Is 변경하다 natural here, or should I use 바꾸다?