-지 않아도 되다

How to use it

Says something is not necessary — the natural negative of 'must' (-아/어야 하다). 안 -아/어도 되다 means the same.

Forming it

It doesn't mean 'must not' (that is -(으)면 안 되다): 안 가도 돼요 = you don't have to go; 가면 안 돼요 = you must not go.

Examples

• 내일은 회사에 가지 않아도 돼요.

  You don't have to go to work tomorrow.

• 다 먹지 않아도 되니까 천천히 드세요.

  You don't have to finish it all, so eat slowly.

Compared with similar patterns

-아/어도 되다 = may; -(으)면 안 되다 = must not; -아/어야 하다/되다 = must.

Related patterns

• -아/어도 되다 may, it's okay to (permission)
• -(으)면 안 되다 must not, not allowed to
• -아/어야 하다/되다 must, have to