How to Say ‘Can I buy snacks?’ in Japanese
お菓子、買ってもいい？
o kashi katsu te mo ii
[o kah-shee KAHT te moh ee]
💬 Usage Tip: In casual speech the を after お菓子 is often dropped, and a short pause takes its place.
Phrase Breakdown
お菓子、
o kashi
snacks / sweets
お菓子 means sweets or snacks. In casual speech the topic particle is dropped, and a short pause follows.
お菓子が好き。
I like sweets.
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.
菓子
kashi
[kah-shee]
sweets
Confectionery, snacks, or sweet treats.
お菓子をどうぞ。
Please have some sweets.
買ってもいい？
katsu te mo ii
can I buy (them)?
The te-form + もいい asks for permission. Use rising intonation.
ジュース、買ってもいい？
Can I buy juice?
Words in this phrase
買っ
katsu
[KAHT]
buy (stem)
Te-form stem of 買う (to buy).
パンを買って帰る。
I'll buy bread and go home.
て
te
[te]
te-form ending
Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.
ドアが開いて、入ります。
The door opens, and then I go in.
も
mo
[moh]
even (if) — permission
In てもいい, asks or grants permission: 'is it okay if'.
食べてもいい？
Can I eat it?
いい
ii
[ee]
good / okay
Means something is good, fine, acceptable, or suitable.
ここでいいです。
Here is fine.
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