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How to Say ‘May I talk about the Bible?’ in Japanese

聖書の話をしてもいいですか。

seisho no hanashi o shi te mo ii desu ka

[SEH-ee-sho noh ha-na-shee oh shee te mo ee dess kah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Religion is a private topic in Japan, and street preaching often meets wariness. Asking permission first like this is the polite, expected approach, and a vague ちょっと… "well…" means no.

Phrase Breakdown

聖書の話を

seisho no hanashi o

about the Bible (as the object)

Seisho no hanashi + o (object marker). This is the topic you want to talk about.

Example

聖書の話を読みました。

I read a Bible story.

Words in this phrase

聖書

seisho

[SEH-ee-sho]

the Bible

The holy scriptures of Christianity; literally 'holy book'.

Example

毎朝聖書を読みます。

I read the Bible every morning.

の

[noh]

of; linking particle

の connects customer and handling, making the meaning 'customer handling' or 'dealing with customers.'

Example

会社の仕事です。

It is company work.

話

hanashi

[ha-na-shee]

talk; story

話 means talk, speech, or story depending on context.

Example

先生の話をよく聞いて。

Listen carefully to the teacher's talk.

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.

してもいいですか。

shi te mo ii desu ka

may I do (talk)?

A polite permission request: '~te mo ii desu ka'.

Example

ここに座ってもいいですか。

May I sit here?

Words in this phrase

し

shi

[shee]

do (stem)

Verb stem used as part of the fixed polite request phrase.

Example

注文をお願いし、ます。

I would like to place the order, please.

て

[te]

te-form ending

Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.

Example

ドアが開いて、入ります。

The door opens, and then I go in.

も

[mo]

also; even

Part of でも, adding the nuance of something like or maybe.

Example

コーヒーでも飲みましょう。

Let's have coffee or something.

いい

[ee]

good; okay

Means good or okay. In permission phrases, it helps form polite questions like asking if something is alright.

Example

ここに座ってもいいですかと丁寧に聞きます。

You politely ask, “Is it okay if I sit here?”

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

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

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