Learn Hardcore Korean: jogeum neujeodo gwaenchanhayo. - It’s okay if I’m a little late.

Korean often drops the subject. In most real-life contexts this reads as “Even if you’re a little late, it’s okay.” Depending on context it could also mean “Even if I’m a little late, it’s okay,” or a general “Being a little late is okay.”

Can this be used to ask permission?

Yes—use a rising intonation or add a question mark: 조금 늦어도 괜찮아요? = “Is it okay if I’m a little late?” More polite options:

조금 늦어도 괜찮을까요?
조금 늦어도 될까요? (asks permission more explicitly)

What’s the difference between 괜찮아요 and 돼요 here?

괜찮아요 = “It’s fine/No problem” (speaker’s acceptance).
돼요 = “It’s allowed/It works” (permission/possibility). Both can be used, but the nuance differs: 늦어도 괜찮아요 (I don’t mind) vs 늦어도 돼요 (you’re permitted).

Is 조금 the same as 좀 or 약간?

조금 = “a little,” neutral; a bit more careful/formal than 좀.
좀 = colloquial contraction of 조금, very common in speech.
약간 = “slightly/somewhat,” a touch more formal or written. All three work here: 조금/좀/약간 늦어도 괜찮아요.

Why 늦어도 and not 늦게?

늦어도 uses the descriptive verb 늦다 (“to be late”): “even if (someone) is late.”
늦게 is an adverb (“late”) and modifies an action verb: 늦게 와도 괜찮아요 = “Even if you come late, it’s okay.” Both are natural, just slightly different structures.

Does 늦다 mean “slow”?

No. 늦다 = “to be late (in time).” 느리다 = “to be slow (in speed).”

조금 늦어도 괜찮아요 = being late is okay.
조금 느려도 괜찮아요 = being slow is okay.

How polite is 괜찮아요? What are other levels?

Casual: 괜찮아.
Polite: 괜찮아요.
Formal: 괜찮습니다. If you’re talking about an elder being late, add honorifics to the verb: 조금 늦으셔도 괜찮습니다/괜찮아요.

What’s the difference between 늦어도 and 늦었어도?

늦어도 = “even if (someone) is/will be late” (a general or future possibility).
늦었어도 = “even if (someone) was late (already)” (past situation).

I’ve seen 늦어도 내일까지 meaning “by tomorrow at the latest.” Is that the same -어도?

Yes. In time expressions, 늦어도 + time means “at the latest by [time].” Example: 늦어도 내일까지 보내 주세요 = “Please send it by tomorrow at the latest.” In your sentence, it’s the concessive “even if.”

How do you pronounce 괜찮아요 and are there common spelling mistakes?

Pronunciation often sounds like [괜차나요] due to ㅎ assimilation. Revised Romanization: gwaenchanayo. Common misspellings include 괜찬아요 or 괜잖아요—the correct spelling is 괜찮아요.

How do I say the opposite, like “It’s not okay if you’re late”?

Strong/clear rule: 늦으면 안 돼요. (“You must not be late.”)
Plain negation: 안 괜찮아요 or 괜찮지 않아요 (more formal/written), but the first option with 안 돼요 is more idiomatic for rules.

Can I move 조금 to say 늦어도 조금 괜찮아요?

That changes the meaning. 조금 늦어도 means “even if (you’re) a little late.” 늦어도 조금 괜찮아요 would mean “Even if you’re late, it’s a little okay,” which is odd. If you want “I’m somewhat okay with it,” you could say 조금은 괜찮아요, but that’s a different nuance.

Are there stronger or more nuanced alternatives?

Emphatic concessive: 조금 늦더라도 괜찮아요 (“even if you (do) end up being a bit late”).
“No problem” vibe: 조금 늦어도 문제 없어요.
“I don’t mind”: 조금 늦어도 상관없어요.
Formal: 조금 늦어도 무방합니다.

Should I say 당신 for “you” here?

Generally no. Use names or titles, or just omit the subject. For politeness: 선생님, 저 조금 늦어도 괜찮을까요? or 선생님, 조금 늦으셔도 괜찮습니다.

Can 괜찮아요 mean “No, thanks” in other situations?

Yes. As a response to an offer, 괜찮아요 can mean “I’m fine/No, thank you.” In your sentence, though, it clearly means “It’s okay/no problem.”

Is 늦어요도 ever correct?

No. Connective endings like -아/어도 attach to the verb stem, not to the polite -요 form. It must be 늦어도, not 늦어요도.