How to Say ‘Is it okay if I sit next to you?’ in Japanese
お隣、いいですか？
o tonari ii desu ka
[o toh-NAH-ree ee-ee dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Point at something and add いいですか to ask if it's okay to have or use it. Also ここ、いいですか？ "Is this spot okay?" or 写真、いいですか？ "Is a photo okay?"
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the standard polite way to take the empty seat next to someone at a bar counter. It's low-pressure, and it's fine to accept a quick no gracefully.
Phrase Breakdown
お隣、
o tonari
the seat next to you
隣 (tonari) means 'next to'. お adds politeness: 'o-to-na-ri'.
お隣の席です。
It's the seat next to you.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[o]
polite prefix
A prefix added to words to show respect.
お邪魔します、おじゃまします。
Excuse me for disturbing.
隣
tonari
[toh-NAH-ree]
next to; neighboring seat
Noun for the place or seat right beside someone.
隣の席に座ります。
I'll sit in the next seat.
いいですか？
ii desu ka
is it okay?
Use it to ask permission politely. Raise your voice at the end on か.
写真を撮ってもいいですか？
May I take a photo?
Words in this phrase
いい
ii
[ee-ee]
good; okay
Shows that something is acceptable or permitted.
ここに書いてもいいです。
It is okay to write here.
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
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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