TOPIK II · Level 6

-(으)되

do it, but …; provided that

Grants something and attaches a condition in the same breath. The classic shape of a rule: you may do this, but within these limits.

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    +-(으)되

    stemending

    When to use it

    Vowel stems take -되, consonant stems -으되, and a ㄹ stem adds nothing: 만들되. It is written joined, with no space.

    The first clause permits or accepts something; the second attaches the limit: 자유롭게 하되 규칙은 지켜야 한다.

    That makes it the natural ending for rules, guidelines, and instructions — anywhere permission comes with a proviso.

    A second, older use introduces quoted speech: 이르되, 말하되. This survives mainly in scripture and classical texts.

    How to attach it

    Stem typeFormExample
    Ends in a vowel-되하다 →
    Ends in a consonant-으되먹다 → 으되
    Ends in ㄹ-되만들다 → 만들
    Typical shapepermit + limit하되 … 지켜야 한다
    Quoting speech이르되, 말하되archaic, scripture
    Plain contrast-지만하지만

    In use

    1. 자유롭게 하되 정해진 규칙은 지켜야 합니다.

      Do as you please, but the set rules must be observed.

    2. 의견은 말하되 근거를 함께 제시하십시오.

      State your view, but give your grounds along with it.

    3. 사진 촬영은 가능하되 플래시는 사용할 수 없습니다.

      Photography is permitted, but flash may not be used.

    4. 간결하게 쓰되 핵심은 빠뜨리지 마세요.

      Write concisely, but leave nothing essential out.

    5. 직접 만들되 안전 기준은 반드시 따라야 한다.

      Make it yourself if you wish, but the safety standards must be followed.

    6. 옛 글에 이르되 사람은 배움으로 선다 하였다.

      An old text says that a person is made by learning.

    Compared with

    • -지만

      -지만 contrasts two facts; -(으)되 grants permission and attaches a condition to it. One reports, the other regulates.

      해도 되지만 조심하세요. (you may, but be careful)  /  하되 규칙은 지켜라. (do it within the rules)

    • -도록 하다

      도록 하다 instructs directly; -(으)되 permits first and then limits. Guidelines often use both together.

      규칙을 지키도록 하세요. (do observe the rules)  /  자유롭게 하되 규칙은 지켜라.

    • -(으)ㄴ/는 한편

      한편 pairs two parallel actions; -(으)되 subordinates the second to the first as a proviso.

      확대하는 한편 강화했다. (both at once)  /  확대하되 기준은 유지한다. (but within limits)

    Watch out

    • 비가 오되 우산을 가져갔다.

      비가 왔지만 우산을 가져갔다.

      -(으)되 attaches a condition to something permitted. Two plain facts take -지만.

    • 자유롭게 하 되 규칙은 지켜라.

      자유롭게 하되 규칙은 지켜라.

      -(으)되 is an ending and is written joined to the stem.

    • 직접 만들으되 기준은 따라야 한다.

      직접 만들되 기준은 따라야 한다.

      A stem ending in ㄹ takes -되 directly, without the 으.

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