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How to Say ‘May I consult you about things I don't understand?’ in Japanese

わからないことは、相談してもいいですか。

wakara nai koto wa soudan shi te mo ii desu ka

[wah-KAH-rah nai koh-toh wah soh-dahn shee te mo ee-ee dess kah]

Phrase Breakdown

わからないことは、

wakara nai koto wa

things I don't understand

わからない means 'don't understand', and こと means 'thing(s)'. The particle は marks the topic and is pronounced 'wa'. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

わからないことは、聞いてください。

Please ask about things you don't understand.

Words in this phrase

わから

wakara

[wah-KAH-rah]

understand (negative stem)

Form of わかる used before ない to make 'not understand'.

Example

意味がわからない。

I don't understand the meaning.

ない

nai

[nai]

not; does not

Negative ending; with いか it forms 'doesn't go well.'

Example

仕事がうまくいかないです。

Work isn't going well.

こと

koto

[koh-toh]

thing; matter; (nominalizer)

Turns verbs/clauses into a “thing/matter.” In relationship talk: 「話したいこと」 = “something I want to talk about.”

Example

話したいことがある。

There’s something I want to talk about.

は

[wah]

topic marker

は marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

空席はありますか。

Are there any seats available?

相談しても

soudan shi te mo

to consult (even if I consult)

This is the て-form of 相談する plus も, used to ask permission. Say the long 'ō' in sōdan clearly.

Example

上司に相談してもいいです。

You may consult your boss.

Words in this phrase

相談

soudan

[soh-dahn]

consultation; advice

Refers to discussing a problem or asking for advice.

Example

上司に相談しやすい職場は安心です。

A workplace where it is easy to consult your manager feels reassuring.

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.

いいですか。

ii desu ka

is it okay?

This completes the polite permission question. Let your voice rise slightly on か.

Example

質問してもいいですか。

May I ask a question?

Words in this phrase

いい

[ee-ee]

good; okay

Shows that something is acceptable or permitted.

Example

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.

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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