How to Say ‘May I say it?’ in Japanese
言ってもいいですか。
itsu te mo ii desu ka
[eet (glottal stop before t) teh moh ee dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: [言ってもいいですか] asks permission: “Is it okay if I say it?” Very useful before giving opinions or sensitive info.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese communication often values timing and permission; asking like this can feel thoughtful, especially in group settings.
Phrase Breakdown
言っても
itsu te mo
even if I say (it)
て-form + も: “even if / is it okay if I…?” Here: “if I say it.”
これ、言ってもいい？
Is it okay if I say this?
Words in this phrase
言っ
itsu
[eet (glottal stop before t)]
say (te-form of 言う)
Part of the permission question pattern 「言ってもいいですか」 meaning “May I say it?” The て-form connects to 「もいい」.
それを言ってもいいですか。
May I say that?
て
te
[teh]
te-form ending
Forms the て-form needed for the pattern 「Vて＋もいい」 (permission).
本を読んで、寝てください。
Read a book and then go to sleep, please.
も
mo
[moh]
also; even; (in this pattern) even if
In 「Vて＋もいい」, 「も」 contributes the meaning “even if,” creating “it’s okay even if you do …” → “you may …”.
ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか。
May I take pictures here?
いい
ii
[ee]
good; okay; fine
In the permission pattern, 「いい」 means “okay/allowed.” Often followed by 「ですか」 to ask politely.
少し休んでもいいです。
You may rest a little.
ですか
desu ka
(polite question ending)
Makes the whole sentence polite and a question: “May I…?”
今、聞いてもいいですか。
May I ask (listen) now?
Words in this phrase
です
desu
[dess]
to be (polite); is/are
Adds politeness. 「〜てもいいです」 = “it’s okay to … / you may …” in polite style.
少し待ってもいいです。
It’s okay to wait a little / I can wait a bit.
か
ka
[kah]
question particle (polite)
Turns the permission statement into a polite question: 「〜てもいいですか」 = “May I …?”
ここに座ってもいいですか。
May I sit here?
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