gandanhi jilmunhaedo dwaeyo?

May I ask a quick question?

Breakdown of gandanhi jilmunhaedo dwaeyo?

• 되다: to be allowed
• ~어도: even if
• 간단히: briefly
• 질문하다: to ask a question

Questions & Answers about gandanhi jilmunhaedo dwaeyo?

What does the grammar pattern -아/어도 되다 mean here?

It asks for permission: “Is it okay if I… / May I…”. So 질문해도 돼요? means “Is it okay if I ask a question?”, with 간단히 adding “briefly/quickly.” It’s about permission, not ability.

What’s the nuance difference between ...돼요?, ...될까요?, ...되나요?, and ...되겠습니까?

• ...돼요? neutral polite permission.
• ...될까요? more tentative and polite (softer).
• ...되나요? polite, sounds like you’re seeking confirmation/inquiring.
• ...되겠습니까? very formal/polite. All are natural with this sentence: 간단히 질문해도 돼요?/될까요?/되나요?/되겠습니까?

What’s the difference between 간단히 and 간단한 here?

• 간단히 is an adverb (“briefly/simply”) modifying the action: 간단히 질문하다 = “ask briefly.”
• 간단한 is an adjective before a noun: 간단한 질문 = “a simple question.” Both are common: 간단히 질문해도 돼요? and 간단한 질문 하나 해도 돼요?

Can I say alternatives like 잠깐, 조금만, or “one question”?

Yes:

• 잠깐 질문해도 돼요? (“May I ask for a moment?”)
• 조금만 질문해도 돼요? (“May I ask just a little?”)
• 질문 하나만 해도 돼요? (“May I ask just one question?”)

Why is there no object marker? Should it be 질문을 해도 돼요?

Both are fine. With N+하다 compounds, the object marker -을/를 is often dropped. 질문해도 돼요? is very natural; 질문을 해도 돼요? is also correct but a bit heavier.

What’s the difference between 질문하다, 묻다, 물어보다, and 여쭤보다?

• 질문하다: “to ask a question” (more formal/literal; common in Q&A contexts).
• 묻다/물어보다: general “to ask”; 물어보다 is very common in speech.
• 여쭤보다: humble form of 물어보다, used to show respect to the listener. For extra politeness: 간단히 여쭤봐도 될까요?

Is 돼요 spelled correctly? Why not 되요?

Correct is 돼요. It comes from 되어요 contracting to 돼요. Writing 되요 is a common mistake.

How can I soften or upgrade the politeness?

Add softeners or honorifics:

• Softeners: 좀, 혹시, 실례지만.
  • Example: 실례지만, 혹시 간단히 질문 좀 해도 될까요?
• Honorific/humble verb: 여쭤보다.
  • Example: 실례지만, 간단히 여쭤봐도 되겠습니까? (very formal)

What intonation/punctuation should I use?

Use a rising intonation for this yes/no question in speech. In writing, use a question mark: 간단히 질문해도 돼요?

Can I move 간단히 elsewhere, like 질문 간단히 해도 돼요?

Adverbs usually go before the verb, so 간단히 질문해도 돼요? is best. You can also say 질문을 간단히 해도 돼요?. 질문 간단히 해도 돼요? is possible but sounds a bit awkward. The adjective option 간단한 질문 하나 해도 돼요? is very natural.

What does the -도 in ...해도 mean? Is it “also”?

Here -도 is part of the connective -아/어도 (“even if/though”) that combines with 되다 to form the permission pattern ...해도 되다 = “it’s okay even if (I) do …” → “may I …”. Related negative: ...하면 안 돼요 = “(You/I) must not … / It’s not allowed.”

Is it 질문해도 or 질문 해도?

Write 질문해도 (no space) because 질문하다 is a single verb. After conjugation it stays together: 질문해도.