A2 · Elemental Capítulo 9

Rules, Obligations, and Opinions

5 Reglas totales
53 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Navigate Korean social rules and express your thoughts with polite, natural nuance.

  • Ask for permission and state rules politely.
  • Express personal and social obligations clearly.
  • Share your soft opinions and describe how things change.
Master the art of polite requests and social boundaries.

Lo que aprenderás

You've mastered the Korean basics – fantastic! Now, let's level up your fluency and confidence so you can speak more like a native. This chapter is all about navigating social interactions and expressing yourself with nuance. Imagine you're in a Korean café and want to politely ask a friend if you can borrow their book, or you need to say, May I go? You'll learn the perfect way with «-아/어/여도 되다». Then, we'll dive into must-nots and prohibitions. Want to explain a rule like "You can't take photos here,

or firmly advise someone
You shouldn't do that«? »-(으)면 안 되다" is your go-to. Next, you'll master how to express necessity – the musts and have-tos of daily life. Whether you need to say
I have to go to work
or
It must be done,
«-아야/어야 하다/되다» will make your Korean sound natural and authentic. We’ll also cover how to describe changes, like saying
the weather is getting cold
or "I'm getting tired using ~아/어/여지다
. Finally, for those moments when you want to share an opinion or make a soft guess – like
It seems like it's going to rain or I think this book is interesting" – you'll learn «-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다» to sound incredibly natural and polite. These five grammar patterns are interconnected tools that will empower you to express permissions, rules, obligations, changes, and soft opinions with precision and grace in any modern Korean conversation. Ready to speak Korean with true confidence? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Ask for permission in various social settings using -아/어/여도 되다.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Identify and explain prohibitions or rules using -(으)면 안 되다.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Express necessity and personal duties using -아야/어야 하다.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to: Describe transitions in state or weather using -아/어/여지다.
  5. 5
    By the end you will be able to: Soften your opinions and make polite guesses using -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Congratulations on reaching the A2 level in your Korean grammar journey! You've mastered the fundamentals, and now it's time to unlock a new layer of fluency and expressiveness. This chapter is your key to navigating daily social interactions with greater confidence and nuance, helping you sound more like a native speaker.
We'll explore essential structures that allow you to express rules, obligations, permissions, and even your personal opinions. Imagine being able to politely ask if you can borrow something, state a rule like No photos allowed, or share a soft guess about the weather. These skills are crucial for practical communication in any Korean-speaking environment.
By understanding these interconnected grammar patterns, you'll gain the ability to articulate complex thoughts and feelings, making your Korean conversations richer and more authentic. Get ready to elevate your language skills and speak A2 Korean with precision and grace!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces five vital Korean grammar patterns that will significantly boost your communicative abilities. First, to ask for permission, you'll use -아/어/여도 되다. Attach -아도 되다 to verb stems ending in ㅏ/ㅗ, -어도 되다 to others, and -여도 되다 for 하다 verbs.
For example, 들어가도 돼요? (May I come in?). To express prohibition or what must not be done, we use -(으)면 안 되다. If the verb stem ends in a consonant, use -으면 안 되다; if it ends in a vowel, use -면 안 되다.
So, 여기 앉으면 안 돼요. (You mustn't sit here.). When expressing necessity, meaning must or have to, the pattern is -아야/어야 하다/되다. Similar to permission, -아야 하다/되다 is for ㅏ/ㅗ, -어야 하다/되다 for others, and -여야 하다/되다 for 하다 verbs.
For instance, 숙제해야 해요. (I have to do homework.) or 숙제해야 돼요. (I have to do homework.). To describe a change of state, or to become something, we use -아/어/여지다. This is applied to adjective or verb stems, as in 날씨가 따뜻해졌어요. (The weather became warm.).
Finally, to express guesses or opinions politely, you'll master -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다. For verbs, use -는 것 같다 (present tense) or -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 (past tense). For adjectives, use -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 (present tense).
For example, 비가 오는 것 같아요. (It seems like it's raining.) or 이 책이 좋은 것 같아요. (This book seems good/I think this book is good.).

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: «여기 사진 찍으면 안 돼요.» (You must not take pictures here.)
✓ Correct: «여기서 사진 찍으면 안 돼요.» (You must not take pictures here.)
*Explanation:* The particle for location where an action occurs is -에서, not -이/가. When stating a prohibition for an action at a specific place, use -에서.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: «저는 피곤해졌어요.» (I became tired.)
✓ Correct: «저는 피곤해졌어요.» or «저는 피곤해졌어요.» (I became tired.)
*Explanation:* While grammatically correct, -아/어/여지다 often sounds more natural with adjectives that describe a *change* in state rather than a simple statement of one's current state. For verbs like to be tired (피곤하다), the -아/어/여지다 form is perfectly fine and often used, but ensure correct conjugation. A common mistake is misapplying the vowel combination (e.g., 피곤하아지다 instead of 피곤해지다).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: «제가 가야 돼요?» (I have to go?)
✓ Correct: «제가 가야 해요?» or «제가 가야 돼요?» (Do I have to go?)
*Explanation:* While both 하다 and 되다 can be used with -아야/어야 to express necessity, 하다 is generally more common and slightly more direct when referring to one's own obligation. 되다 can sometimes imply a slightly more external or unavoidable necessity. Both are acceptable, but it's good to be aware of the subtle nuance. The mistake here is more about not realizing both are options rather than one being strictly wrong. The most common mistake is mixing up the vowel ending for -아야/어야.

Real Conversations

A

A

여기 앉아도 돼요? (May I sit here?)
B

B

네, 앉으세요. (Yes, please sit.)
A

A

죄송하지만, 여기는 사진을 찍으면 안 돼요. (Excuse me, but you mustn't take photos here.)
B

B

아, 몰랐어요. 죄송합니다. (Oh, I didn't know. I'm sorry.)
A

A

내일 일찍 일어나야 해요. (I have to wake up early tomorrow.)
B

B

왜요? 무슨 일 있어요? (Why? Is something happening?)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the difference between -아야 해요 and -아야 돼요 when expressing necessity?

Both mean have to or must. -아야 해요 is slightly more common and often implies a personal obligation, while -아야 돼요 can sometimes suggest an external or general necessity, but in many contexts, they are interchangeable.

Q

Can -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 be used with past tense?

Yes! For verbs, use -은/는 것 같다 for present (e.g., 비가 오는 것 같아요 - It seems like it's raining) and -았던/었던 것 같다 for past (e.g., 비가 왔던 것 같아요 - It seems like it rained). For adjectives, use -았던/었던 것 같다 for past (e.g., 날씨가 추웠던 것 같아요 - It seems like the weather was cold).

Q

How do I make a polite request using -아/어/여도 되다?

Simply add -요 to 되다 to make it -아/어/여도 돼요? for a standard polite question. For even more politeness, you can use -아/어/여도 괜찮아요? (Is it okay if I...?)

Q

Are there informal ways to say you must not in Korean?

Yes, you can drop the -요 ending for casual situations with friends: -(으)면 안 돼. For example, 만지면 안 돼. (Don't touch it.).

Cultural Context

In Korean culture, politeness and indirectness are highly valued. Grammar patterns like -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 are frequently used to soften statements and opinions, avoiding direct assertions that might sound presumptuous or confrontational. Similarly, when making requests or stating rules, using polite forms like -아/어/여도 돼요? and -(으)면 안 돼요. is crucial to maintain harmony and respect.
The frequent use of -아야/어야 하다/되다 reflects a society that values responsibility and fulfilling obligations. Mastering these nuances will make your A2 Korean sound more natural and culturally appropriate.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

여기서 담배를 피우면 안 돼요.

No debes fumar aquí.

Prohibiciones: Cómo decir "No debes" en coreano (-(으)면 안 되다)
2

전 남자친구한테 연락하면 안 돼!

¡No deberías contactar a tu ex novio!

Prohibiciones: Cómo decir "No debes" en coreano (-(으)면 안 되다)
3

I have to wake up early tomorrow.

Tengo que levantarme temprano mañana.

Tener que y Deber: Expresar Necesidad (-아야/어야 하다/되다)
4

You must set a password of 8 characters or more.

Debes configurar una contraseña de más de 8 caracteres.

Tener que y Deber: Expresar Necesidad (-아야/어야 하다/되다)
5

The weather suddenly got cold.

El clima se puso frío de repente.

Cambio de Estado (Ponerse/Volverse + Adjetivo)
6

Your Korean pronunciation has become really good!

¡Tu pronunciación de coreano se ha vuelto muy buena!

Cambio de Estado (Ponerse/Volverse + Adjetivo)
7

비가 올 것 같아요.

Parece que va a llover.

Expresar suposiciones y opiniones: 'Parece que' (-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다)
8

그 영화는 재미있는 것 같아요.

Creo que esa película es interesante.

Expresar suposiciones y opiniones: 'Parece que' (-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다)

Consejos y trucos (4)

💡

Intercambiable con 괜찮다

A veces puedes cambiar '되다' por '괜찮다' (estar bien) para sonar un poco más suave: «가도 괜찮아요?»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pedir permiso: ¿Puedo? (-아/어/여도 되다)
💡

El truco de 하/해

Para no dudar entre '되' o '돼', cámbialo por '하' o '해'. Si '해' suena bien (안 해요 -> 안 돼요), usa '돼'. «안 돼요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Prohibiciones: Cómo decir "No debes" en coreano (-(으)면 안 되다)
🎯

¡Ojo con la ortografía!

Nunca escribas '되요'. Siempre debe ser '돼요'. Piensa que es la combinación de '되 + 어 = 돼'. ¡Incluso a los coreanos se les olvida a veces! «한국어 공부를 매일 해야 돼요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Tener que y Deber: Expresar Necesidad (-아야/어야 하다/되다)
🎯

El pasado es el rey

Como solemos hablar de cambios que ya notamos, usarás mucho más la forma pasada «~졌어요» que el presente. Por ejemplo: «날씨가 따뜻해졌어요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cambio de Estado (Ponerse/Volverse + Adjetivo)

Vocabulario clave (7)

들어가다 (deureogada) to enter 사진을 찍다 (sajineul jjikda) to take a photo 숙제하다 (sukje-hada) to do homework 춥다 (chupda) to be cold 건강하다 (geongang-hada) to be healthy 생각하다 (saenggak-hada) to think 예쁘다 (yeoppeuda) to be pretty

Real-World Preview

image

At a Korean Art Museum

Review Summary

  • Verb Root + -아/어/여도 되다
  • Verb Root + -(으)면 안 되다
  • Verb Root + -아야/어야 하다/되다
  • Adjective Root + -아/어/여지다
  • Verb/Adj + -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다

Errores comunes

Confusing -면 (if) with -도 (also/even). To ask permission, you must use -도 되다 (Even if I go, is it okay?).

Wrong: 가면 돼요? (Gamyeon dwaeyo?)
Correcto: 가도 돼요? (Gado dwaeyo?)

For change of state, you must conjugate the adjective to the -아/어 form before adding -지다. Don't just attach it to the root.

Wrong: 춥지다 (chupjida)
Correcto: 추워지다 (chuwojida)

Using the verb ending -는 for adjectives. Adjectives use -(으)ㄴ 것 같다, while verbs use -는 것 같다 in the present tense.

Wrong: 먹는 것 같아요 (meokneun geot gat-ayo) for an adjective
Correcto: 매운 것 같아요 (maeun geot gat-ayo)

Next Steps

You've just unlocked the ability to have real, nuanced conversations. Your Korean is starting to sound much more sophisticated and respectful. Keep practicing these social tools!

Write 3 rules for your favorite hobby in Korean.

Look out the window and describe 3 things that are changing (weather, light, etc.) using -아/어지다.

Continue to: Building Sentences with Core Particles

Práctica rápida (9)

Encuentra y corrige el error para que diga: 'No tienes que comer...'

Find and fix the mistake:

한국에 가면 김치를 먹어야 해요? (Cámbialo a: 'No tienes que comer...')

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 안 먹어도 돼요
Para decir 'no tienes que', usamos el patrón '-지 않아도 되다' o '안 -아도 되다'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Tener que y Deber: Expresar Necesidad (-아야/어야 하다/되다)

¿Qué oración tiene la ortografía correcta?

Elige la oración gramaticalmente correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 여기에 주차하면 안 돼요.
¡Recuerda el truco de 하/해! '안 하요' suena mal, pero '안 해요' suena bien. Por eso, '안 돼요' es lo correcto.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Prohibiciones: Cómo decir "No debes" en coreano (-(으)면 안 되다)

Completa el espacio en blanco con la forma correcta.

도서관에서 크게 ___ 안 돼요. (No debes hablar alto en la biblioteca. - 떠들다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 떠들면
떠들다 termina en ㄹ. Para los irregulares en ㄹ, trátalos como vocales y añade solo -면.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Prohibiciones: Cómo decir "No debes" en coreano (-(으)면 안 되다)

Rellena el espacio para pedir permiso para usar el teléfono.

휴대폰을 ___ 돼요? (사용하다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 사용해도
Para los verbos que terminan en '하다', la forma cambia siempre a '-해도 되다'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pedir permiso: ¿Puedo? (-아/어/여도 되다)

Encuentra y corrige el error de ortografía.

여기 앉아도 되요?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 여기 앉아도 돼요?
'되다' + '-어요' se contrae como '돼요', nunca como '되요'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pedir permiso: ¿Puedo? (-아/어/여도 되다)

¿Qué frase es gramaticalmente correcta y significa 'Tienes que ir'?

Elige la frase correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가야 돼요
Aunque '가야 해요' también es correcto, '가야 되요' es un error de ortografía común. Lo correcto es '돼요'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Tener que y Deber: Expresar Necesidad (-아야/어야 하다/되다)

¿Qué frase pregunta correctamente si está bien comer?

Elige la frase gramaticalmente correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 이거 먹어도 돼요?
Como la vocal en '먹' es 'ㅓ', usamos la terminación '-어도 되다'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pedir permiso: ¿Puedo? (-아/어/여도 되다)

Encuentra y corrige el error de conjugación.

매운 음식을 먹면 안 돼요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 매운 음식을 먹으면 안 돼요.
먹다 termina en consonante (ㄱ). Por lo tanto, necesita el conector '으'. Se convierte en 먹으면.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Prohibiciones: Cómo decir "No debes" en coreano (-(으)면 안 되다)

Completa el espacio con la forma correcta de '공부하다' (estudiar).

시험이 내일이라서 오늘 밤에 ___. (Tengo que estudiar esta noche porque el examen es mañana.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공부해야 돼요
Para expresar necesidad ('tengo que estudiar'), usamos la forma '-해야 돼요'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Tener que y Deber: Expresar Necesidad (-아야/어야 하다/되다)

Score: /9

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

Significa literalmente 'incluso si hago [acción], funciona/está bien'. Expresa que la acción es aceptable: «해도 돼요.»
Normalmente se usa para pedir permiso a otros o dárselo a alguien más. Usarlo contigo mismo suena raro: «내가 해도 돼요.»
Se traduce como 'Si haces [X], no funciona' o 'no está bien'. Esto muestra la naturaleza condicional del coreano: «하면 안 돼요.»
¡Sí, claro! Por ejemplo, «비싸면 안 돼요» significa 'No debería ser caro'. Lo usas para pedir una condición necesaria.
Técnicamente significan lo mismo. Sin embargo, '하다' es más común en textos formales y discursos, mientras que '되다' se usa muchísimo más en la conversación diaria. «지금 가야 돼요.»
¡Aplica primero la regla irregular! '듣다' se convierte en '들어요', así que queda como «들어야 돼요». Lo mismo con '돕다' que pasa a «도와야 돼요».
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