-되
Used to grant or accept the content of the first clause but then add a condition or exception in the second clause.
Summary
Equivalent
But (with a condition) / ...however...
Example
You can go out and play, but come back before dinner.
나가서 놀되 저녁 먹기 전에는 들어와.
Grammar rules
- It implies 'You may do [X], BUT [Y condition] must also be followed.' The second clause often contains a command ('-(으)세요'), a necessity ('해야 한다'), or a prohibition ('-(으)면 안 된다').
- It is also used simply to contrast two clauses.
- Can also be used in longer forms '-기는 -되' or '-기는 하되', both meaning the same.
공부하기는 하되 딴짓은 하지 마세요. (You may study, but don't get distracted.)
- Use '-으되' after tense markers like '-았/었-', '-겠-', or after '있다/없다'.
그분은 이미 떠났으되 그분의 흔적은 남아 있다. (He has already left, but his traces remain.)
- Also used for a simple contrast — similar to '-지만'.
말은 잘하되 행동이 따르지 않는다. (He talks well, but his actions don't follow.)
Patterns
A/V (Adj/Verbs)
현재 (Present) · -되
Example sentences
You can go out and play, but come back before dinner.
나가서 놀되 저녁 먹기 전에는 들어와.
You can search on the internet, but you should verify whether the source is reliable.
인터넷 검색을 하되 믿을 수 있는 출처인지 확인해야 해요.
You may take this book, but you absolutely have to return it after you finish reading it.
이 책은 가져가도 되되 다 읽고 나면 꼭 돌려줘야 해.
Conversation
A: My child wants to use a smartphone — what should I do?
아이가 스마트폰을 쓰고 싶어 하는데 어떻게 할까요?
B: I think it's good to allow it, but you should set a rule that they can't use it for more than an hour a day.
쓰게 하되 하루에 한 시간 이상은 하지 못하게 규칙을 정하는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct permissive conditional phrase using '-되'.
여행을 가도 되지만 일찍 돌아와야 해요.
사용해도 되지만 조심해야 해요.