How to Say ‘May I take photos?’ in Japanese
しゃしんをとってもいいですか。
shashin o totsu te mo ii desu ka
[shah-sheen oh toht teh moh ee-ee dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: This literally means [Is it okay if I take photos?]. A very polite permission question.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Always ask before photographing strangers in Japan. Politeness and privacy are taken seriously.
Phrase Breakdown
しゃしん
shashin
[shah-sheen]
photo; photograph
The thing being taken in this sentence is a photo.
しゃしんをたくさんとります。
I take many photos.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
Marks しゃしん as the direct object.
しゃしんをみせてください。
Please show me the photo.
とっても
totsu te mo
even if [I] take; can [I] take
Part of the verb phrase とる, here in a request asking permission to take a photo.
さしんをとってもいいですか。
May I take a picture?
Words in this phrase
とっ
totsu
[toht]
take
The first part of とって, from とる, meaning to take.
とっ、てでどうしがつながります。
“To” connects with te to form the verb.
て
te
[teh]
te-form connector
The て form used to connect the verb to the permission pattern.
て、ではなしがつづきます。
With “te,” the expression continues.
も
mo
[moh]
also
In ても, it helps form the pattern for permission: 'even if' or 'may I.'
も、はいみをくわえます。
“Mo” adds meaning to the phrase.
いいですか
ii desu ka
is it okay?; may I?
A polite way to ask for permission.
ここにすわっていいですか。
May I sit here?
Words in this phrase
いい
ii
[ee-ee]
good; okay
In this pattern, it means okay or acceptable.
いい、ならとってください。
If it’s okay, please take it.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
Adds politeness to the question.
です、ではなしがていねいです。
With “desu,” the speech is polite.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Turns the request into a question.
か、をつけてききます。
I ask by adding “ka.”
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager