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Questions & Answers about jigeum dapjanghaedo dwaeyo?
What does the -아/어도 되다 construction mean here?
It expresses asking for permission. 답장해도 돼요? literally means “Is it okay even if I reply?” and functions as “May/Can I reply?” The -아/어도 part is “even if …,” and 되다 in this pattern means “to be acceptable/allowed.”
Why is it spelled 돼요 and not 되요?
Because 돼요 is the contraction of 되어요 (from 되다). The correct contraction is 돼요, not “되요.” Similarly, the negative is 안 돼요, not “안되요.”
Do I need to say “I” in Korean? Who is the subject here?
Korean drops obvious subjects. Here, the implied subject is “I.” You can add it for clarity or politeness:
- 제가 지금 답장해도 돼요? (more explicit/polite)
What’s the difference between 답장하다, 대답하다, 답변하다, and 회신하다?
- 답장하다: reply to a message/text/letter/DM.
- 대답하다: answer someone in conversation (spoken Q&A).
- 답변하다: give an answer, often formal or written (customer service, official).
- 회신하다: formal “to reply” (business emails).
In business, you’ll see 회신 드리다 or 답변 드리다/해 드리다 to show respect.
If I’m giving someone else permission to reply, how do I change the sentence?
Use the honorific for the other person’s action:
- Statement: 지금 답장하셔도 돼요. (You may reply now.)
- Question (checking if they can): 지금 답장하실 수 있으세요? or 지금 답장해 주실 수 있으세요?
Avoid using 해도 돼요? to ask them to do it; that pattern is for asking permission about your own action.
How can I make this more polite or soft?
- Softer: 지금 답장해도 될까요?
- More formal: 지금 답장해도 되겠습니까?
- Extra softener: 혹시 지금 답장해도 될까요?
- With humble benefactive: 지금 답장해 드려도 될까요? or 지금 답장 드려도 될까요? (both common; textbooks prefer 해 드리다)
Is “지금 답장해도 괜찮아요?” okay? What’s the nuance vs 돼요?
Yes. 괜찮아요 also asks if it’s okay/acceptable. …돼요? slightly leans toward permission; …괜찮아요? feels like checking the other person’s comfort/convenience. Both are very common.
What’s the difference between 지금, 이제, 바로, and 금방 here?
- 지금: now (at this moment).
- 이제: now (as of now/anymore; change of state). Often not interchangeable here.
- 바로: right away/immediately (stronger urgency).
- 금방: in a moment/just now (context decides past vs near future).
Examples: 지금/바로 답장해도 돼요?; 금방 답장해도 돼요?
Is the spacing in “답장해도 돼요” correct?
Yes. Write 답장해도 돼요 with a space before 돼요. 답장하다 is one word, so in conjugation you keep it attached: 답장해도. Also: 안 돼요 has a space after 안.
Could I say “지금 답장할까요?” What’s the difference?
- 지금 답장해도 돼요? asks for permission (“Is it allowed?”).
- 지금 답장할까요? makes a suggestion/offer (“Shall I reply now?”).
- 지금 답장해야 할까요? asks if you ought to (“Should I reply now?”).
Is this sentence natural in real life? In what situations would Koreans use it?
Yes. Typical uses:
- Asking a teacher/boss in a meeting if you can reply to a text: 지금 답장해도 돼요?
- Asking a friend/partner for permission or consideration (e.g., during a movie).
You wouldn’t usually send this to the very person you’re replying to; it’s more about getting permission from a third party or checking if the timing is okay.
How do I make it more formal for business email/phone?
- 지금 답장해도 되겠습니까?
- 지금 회신드려도 되겠습니까?
- 지금 답변 드려도 될까요?
Using 드리다 shows humility toward the recipient.
How do I ask “Is it okay if I reply later?” or “Can I reply tomorrow?”
- 나중에 답장해도 돼요?
- 내일 답장해도 될까요?
- Very polite: 내일 중으로 회신드려도 되겠습니까?
How is the intonation?
Use a rising intonation at the end for a yes/no question. In writing, ? is fine; with -요, the question is clear even without a question mark, but the ? is standard in casual and formal text.
Can I replace 답장하다 with 문자하다 or 메시지 보내다?
- 문자하다 is colloquial for texting specifically; 메시지 보내다 is broader (“send a message”).
- For “reply,” 답장하다 is the most direct and natural.
E.g., 지금 문자해도 돼요? (Is it okay if I text now?)
If I want to say “You can reply now,” what should I use?
- Neutral: 지금 답장해도 돼요.
- With honorifics (to be polite to them): 지금 답장하셔도 돼요.
Is there a negative/forbidding version?
- Forbidding: 지금 답장하면 안 돼요. (You mustn’t reply now.)
- Asking for confirmation: 지금 답장하면 안 돼요? (Is it not okay to reply now? / I can’t reply now?)
Here …안 되다 is the negative counterpart of …되다.