🧒🎬❓

How to Say ‘May I show the kids a demonstration?’ in Japanese

子どもたちに見本を見せてもいいですか。

kodomo tachi ni mihon o mise te mo ii desu ka

[koh-doh-moh tah-chee ni mee-HOHN oh mee-seh teh moh ee dess ka]

💬 Usage Tip: Add てもいいですか after an action to ask permission. For example, 始めてもいいですか means "may I start?"

🇯🇵 In Japan: Asking the head coach before stepping in respects their lead. Japanese volunteer teams tend to defer clearly to whoever is running the session.

Phrase Breakdown

子どもたちに

kodomo tachi ni

to the children

子どもたち (kodomotachi) means 'children'. に shows who receives the action.

Example

子どもたちに話します。

I'll talk to the children.

Words in this phrase

子ども

kodomo

[koh-doh-moh]

child; children

Means a child, and in context can also refer to children in general.

Example

子どもは元気です。

The child is energetic.

たち

tachi

[tah-chee]

plural marker

Added to words referring to people to make them plural, as in 私たち meaning 'we.'

Example

子どもたちが公園で遊びます。

The children play in the park.

に

[ni]

Indicates direction or purpose.

Example

家に帰ります。

I will return home.

見本を見せても

mihon o mise te mo

showing a demonstration

見せても is the te-form plus も, used with いい to ask permission.

Example

写真を見せてもいいです。

You may show the photo.

Words in this phrase

見本

mihon

[mee-HOHN]

demonstration; model

An example performed or shown for others to imitate.

Example

見本を見てからやってみよう。

Let's try after watching the demonstration.

を

[oh]

object marker

The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

チケットを二枚ください。

Two tickets, please.

見せ

mise

[mee-seh]

show (stem)

The stem of 見せる, meaning 'to show.'

Example

明細を見せてください。

Please show me the statement.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

も

[moh]

also; even

With で, it forms でも, meaning but.

Example

はい、でも、もう少し先です。

Yes, but it is a little farther ahead.

いいですか。

ii desu ka

is it okay?

This ending completes the permission request. Raise your tone at the end.

Example

入ってもいいですか。

May I come in?

Words in this phrase

いい

[ee]

good; okay

Used to ask if something is acceptable or suitable.

Example

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.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

か

[ka]

question particle

Added at the end of a sentence to indicate a question.

Example

お茶を飲みますか？

Do you drink tea?

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