How to Say ‘Do you have a moment?’ in Japanese
ちょっといいですか。
chotto ii desu ka
[choht-toh ee dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Literally "is a little okay?" — ちょっと (chotto) "a little" softens the request so it isn't pushy. The same opener works for any small favor before you even say what it is.
Phrase Breakdown
ちょっと
chotto
[choht-toh]
a little; just a moment
ちょっと softens the command and means for a moment.
ちょっとまってね。
Wait a moment, okay?
いいですか。
ii desu ka
is it okay?
いい means good or okay, and ですか makes it a polite question. Say 'ii' as a long 'ee' sound.
座ってもいいですか。
May I sit down?
Words in this phrase
いい
ii
[ee]
good; okay
Means “okay/allowed” in the permission expression.
ここに座ってもいい ですか。
May I sit 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。
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