Korean grammar patterns for – Permission and prohibition

Today we’ll look at grammar patterns used to form sentences expressing demands, obligations, permissions, and prohibitions.

아 /어도 되다/좋다/괜찮다

Meaning : 아 /어도 되다

is used to ask for or give permission to do something. It has the same meaning as “may I…” or “may someone do something.” It is also often used to indicate something that is socially or conventionally allowed.

It is always attached directly to the verb stem:

• -아도 되다 is used when the verb stem ends with 아 or 오.
• -어도 되다 is used with all other verb stems.

Examples:

• 먹다 - 먹어도 되다 (may eat)
• 나가다 - 나가도 되다 (may go out)
• 듣다 - 들어도 되다 (may listen)
• 쓰다 → 써도 되다 (may write/use)
• 부르다 → 불러도 되다 (may call/sing)

Example :

1) 이 케익 먹어도 돼요.

You may eat this cake.

2) 여기에서 노래를 불러도 돼요?

Can I sing here?

3) 아니요, 안 돼요.

No, that’s not allowed.

(으)면 안되다

Meaning: Used to express refusal of permission or prohibition. It has the same meaning as “someone may not do something.”

~(으)면 안 되다 is also used to indicate something that is socially or conventionally not allowed.

It is always attached directly to the end of a verb stem:

• 으면 안 되다 - used when the verb stem ends in a consonant.
• 면 안 되다 - used when the verb stem ends in a vowel.

Examples:

• 앉다 - 앉으면 안 돼요. (You may not sit.)
• 피우다 - 피우면 안 돼요. (You may not smoke.)
• 놀다 - 놀면 안 돼요. (You may not play.)
• 듣다 - 들으면 안 돼요. (You may not listen/hear.)

예문 :

1) 이 빌딩 안에서는 담배를 피우면 안 돼요.

You must not smoke inside this building.

2) 들어가면 안 돼요.

You should not go in.

3) 수업 시간에 영어로 말하면 안 돼요.

You shouldn’t speak English during class.

4) 고양이 만지면 안 돼요.

You’re not supposed to touch the cat.

지 마세요/지 말다

Meaning: 지 마세요 / 지 말다 is used to tell someone ' not to do something'. Therefore, it can be used only with action verbs.

Descriptive verbs should be changed into their action verb form to be used correctly with this structure.

~지 마세요 is always attached directly to the end of a verb stem.

1. 기다리다 - 기다리지 마세요
2. 전화하다 - 전화하지 마세요

Example :

1)도서관 안에서는 떠들지 마세요.

Don't be loud in the library.

2) 오늘은 지각하지 마세요.

Don't be late today.

3) 술 너무 많이 마시지 마세요.

Don't drink too much.

아/어야 되다/하다

Meaning : This sentence ending expresses obligation or necessity, and can be translated as “should,” “must,” or “have to.”

The verb 되다 literally means “to become,” and 하다 means “to do.” When combined with -아/어야, they express that something must or should be done.

• 되다 and 하다 are generally interchangeable, but 되다 is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
• Verb stems ending in the vowels 아 or 오 take -아야 되다/하다.
• Verb stems ending in other vowels take -어야 되다/하다.
• Verb stems ending with 하 take -해야 되다/하다.

Example :

1) 집에 가야 돼요.

I have to go home.

2) 저는 뭐해야 돼요?

What should I do?

3) 저는 한국어 공부를 열심히해야 해요.

I have to study Korean hard.

4) 나는 영어를 배워야 해요.

I must learn English.

** The above information has been provided with the help of the kGrammar app available on the PlayStore for free to download. It’s a great app for grammar learning, and I would recommend you check it out. I am thankful to the creators for making it available for free use.

To understand TOPIK Test structure, application process, Levels and Passing scores etc. check these pages:

1. TOPIK – The Complete Guide & 2. TOPIK Levels and Passing Marks. You can also Practice Online with TOPIK GUIDE Mock Tests.

If you are going to take the TOPIK Test for the first time, or if you want to give your score a boost so that you can pass a higher level, we would strongly advise you to get the Complete Guide to TOPIK – Self-Study Package. It is a digital study package that has everything you need to get a great score in the TOPIK test – all the past TOPIK papers with answer sheets, grammar and vocabulary study material, video tutorials explaining the test structure, strategies to solve them and much more. You can check out more details about this study package HERE.

Learning Korean can be tricky, especially when the goal of your learning is conversation. If you’ve ever attempted to speak Korean but were unable to, then hopefully you’ll find this post helpful.

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or suggestions. Comment down below.