How to Say ‘It’s okay to (do)’ in Japanese
もいい
mo ii
[moh ee]
💬 Usage Tip: Pattern: [〜てもいい] = permission: “It’s okay if you do … / You may …”. Example: [入ってもいい] (“You may enter”).
🇯🇵 In Japan: Permission is often asked/answered indirectly in Japan; [〜てもいいですか] is a polite, socially safe way to check.
Phrase Breakdown
も
mo
[moh]
also; even; (in this pattern) even if
Particle 「も」 often means “also/too.” In 「Vて＋もいい」 it forms the permission pattern “it’s okay even if you do …” → “you may …”.
質問してもいいですか。
May I ask a question?
いい
ii
[ee]
good; okay; fine
「いい」 means “good/OK.” In 「Vて＋もいい」 it means “it’s okay to … / you may …”.
入ってもいいです。
You may come in.
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