입어 봐도 돼요?

When to use

This is specifically used in clothing stores when you want to try on an item before making a purchase.

How it works

The structure is '입어 보다' (to try on) + '-아/어도 되다' (may I/is it okay to). The subject 'I' is omitted, which is common in Korean.

• 입어 보다: to try on (입- 'wear' + -어 connective + 보다 'try')
• -아/어도 되다: may I? / is it okay to? (permission-seeking construction)
• 돼요: polite form of 되다

Grammar

The phrase features two common vowel contractions. In '봐도', the verb '보-' (to see/try) combines with '-아도' (even if). In '돼요', the verb '되-' (to become/be okay) combines with the polite ending '-어요'.

Pronunciation

The 'ㅂ' in '입-' undergoes liaison with the following vowel '어', so '입어' is pronounced [이버].

Notes

This is the essential phrase for politely asking permission to try on an item of clothing in a store.