Korean Grammar: Expressing "Should" with "여/야 돼요" and "면 안 돼요"
Understanding how to convey obligations or prohibitions in Korean can be pivotal in both formal and informal scenarios.
The structures “V + 여/야 돼요” and “V + (으)면 안 돼요” provide a comprehensive way to indicate what one should or shouldn’t do. Let’s dive into these grammatical constructs and their applications.
Expressing “You Should V”
By using V + 여/야 돼요, you can illustrate actions that one should or is expected to undertake:
You should eat (a meal) three times a day.
If you want to play the piano well you should practice every day.
If you want to be healthy you should eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
Expressing “You Shouldn’t V”
The pattern V + (으)면 안 돼요 serves as its negative counterpart, denoting actions that one shouldn’t engage in:
You shouldn't touch it.
You shouldn't drink alcohol if you're taking medicine.
You shouldn't smoke cigarettes.
In conclusion, familiarizing yourself with “V + 여/야 돼요” and “V + (으)면 안 돼요” can aid in conveying necessities and restrictions more fluently in Korean.
Utilizing these structures will allow for clearer communication, especially in situations where specific actions are advised or discouraged.