Meaning
"Can I ask you"는 상대방에게 질문을 해도 되는지 정중하게 묻는 표현입니다. 이 표현은 대화의 시작 부분에서 상대방의 허락을 구하는 용도로 자주 사용됩니다. 여기서 "Can I"는 "~해도 될까요?"라는 뜻으로, 상대방의 동의를 구하는 의미를 갖고 있습니다.
예문: "Can I ask you a question?"는 "질문 하나 해도 될까요?"라는 의미로, 상대방의 시간을 잠시 빌려 질문하고자 할 때 사용합니다.
이 표현은 주로 일상 대화나 비즈니스 환경에서 사용되며, 상대방에게 부담을 주지 않으면서도 궁금한 점을 확인할 수 있는 방법입니다. 상대방에게 예의를 갖춘 표현이므로, 처음 만난 사람이나 공식적인 자리에서도 유용하게 사용할 수 있습니다.
Today's Sentences
- Can I ask you something?
- Can I ask you for a favor?
- Can I ask you what you think of this?
- Can I ask you what colors go together?
- Can I ask you how this works?
- Writer's Note
01
Can I ask you something?
Situation
Can I ask you something?
Is this your textbook?
이거 당신의 "textbook"인가요?
Yes it is, I thought I had lost it.
I saw you sitting here earlier.
Thank you so much.
02
Can I ask you for a favor?
Situation 1
Hey, can I ask you for a favor?
Sure.
What is it?
무엇인가요?
I’m moving this weekend and need some help.
I think I can help.
Send me the details and I’ll see you then!
자세한 내용을 보내주시면 그때 뵙겠습니다!
Situation 2
Do you have a minute?
Sure.
Can I ask you for a favor?
Ask away!
03
Can I ask you what you think of this?
Situation 1
Can I ask you what you think of this?
Is there a problem?
This isn’t the food I ordered.
I’m terribly sorry.
Your original order will be out asap.
고객님의 원래 주문은 가능한 빨리 준비하겠습니다.
Situation 2
Can I ask you what you think of this?
OMG, what happened to the wall?
I wanted to surprise you and redesign the room.
Redesign? You tore down the wall?!
04
Can I ask you what colors go together?
Situation
Can I ask you what colors go together?
Well, in this case cherry red and off-white.
How about these?
These ones seem to clash too.
05
Can I ask you how this works?
Situation 1
Can I ask you how this works?
Of course.
It’s all about understanding the basics of gear theory.
기어 이론의 기본을 이해하는 것이 중요합니다.
Do you mean the theory that gears are wheels with teeth shaped to make the wheel turn?
Exactly!
Situation 2
Can I ask you how this works?
It’s basically an automating pour-over technology similar to your drip coffee.
That’s amazing!
It really does make a perfect and consistent cup of coffee.
Writer's Note
The phrase "Can I ask you" is a polite and commonly used way to start a question or request someone's permission to ask something personal, sensitive, or important.
Here are some key points about the phrase "Can I ask you".
- Function: Requesting Permission to Ask a Question
👉 Used to politely introduce a question, especially when the topic might be personal, serious, or unexpected.
👉 It softens the question and shows respect for the other person’s boundaries.
Examples:
👉 Can I ask you something personal?
👉 Can I ask you a quick question? - Structure:
"Can I ask you" + noun / question / about + topic?
Examples:
👉 Can I ask you a favor?
👉 Can I ask you something important?
👉 Can I ask you about your experience?
👉 주로 개인적이거나 심각하거나 예상치 못한 주제에 대해 질문을 정중하게 시작할 때 사용됩니다.
👉 질문을 부드럽게 하고 상대방의 경계를 존중하는 모습을 보여줍니다.
예시:
👉 Can I ask you something personal?
👉 Can I ask you a quick question?
"Can I ask you" + 명사 / 질문 / about + 주제?
예시:
👉 Can I ask you a favor?
👉 Can I ask you something important?
👉 Can I ask you about your experience?
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