How to Say ‘May I ask you a few questions?’ in Japanese
少しお話を伺ってもいいですか。
sukoshi o hanashi o ukagatsu te mo ii desu ka
[soo-koh-shee oh ha-na-shee oh oo-KAHG teh moh ee dess ka]
💬 Usage Tip: 伺う (ukagau) is a humble way to say "ask" or "hear". Adding 〜てもいいですか turns any action into a polite request for permission: 座ってもいいですか "May I sit?"
Phrase Breakdown
少しお話を
sukoshi o hanashi o
a little talk (object)
少し means 'a little'. お話 is a polite word for 'talk' or 'story'. を marks it as the object.
少しお話をしましょう。
Let's talk a little.
Words in this phrase
少し
sukoshi
[soo-koh-shee]
a little; a bit
Softens the complaint by saying something is a little high.
少し高くないですか、と聞きました。
I asked, “Isn’t it a little expensive?”
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
お adds politeness to certain words and expressions.
チケットを二枚お願いします。
Two tickets, please.
話
hanashi
[ha-na-shee]
talk; story
話 means talk, speech, or story depending on context.
先生の話をよく聞いて。
Listen carefully to the teacher's talk.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.
チケットを二枚ください。
Two tickets, please.
伺ってもいいですか。
ukagatsu te mo ii desu ka
may I ask/hear?
伺う is a humble verb meaning 'to ask' or 'to hear'. ～てもいいですか asks for permission. Hold the small っ as a short pause: u-ka-gat-te.
質問を伺ってもいいですか。
May I ask a question?
Words in this phrase
伺っ
ukagatsu
[oo-KAHG]
ask; hear (humble)
Humble form of 'ask' or 'hear', used when speaking to someone of higher status.
先生にお話を伺いました。
I heard a talk from the teacher.
て
te
[teh]
te-form ending
This て makes the phrase a gentle request or friendly instruction: please take care.
てはお気をつけての終わりです。
て is the ending of お気をつけて.
も
mo
[moh]
also; even
With で, it forms でも, meaning but.
はい、でも、もう少し先です。
Yes, but it is a little farther ahead.
いい
ii
[ee]
good; okay
Used to ask if something is acceptable or suitable.
この場所でいいですか。
Is this place okay?
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
Indicates a question with previous verb.
飲みませんか？
Won't you drink?
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