How to Say ‘May I consult you about one thing?’ in Japanese
一つご相談してもよろしいですか。
hito tsu go soudan shi te mo yoroshii desu ka
[HEE-toh tsoo goh soh-dahn shee teh mo yo-ro-SHEE dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Action + てもよろしいですか politely asks permission. Swap in 質問してもよろしいですか "May I ask a question?"
🇯🇵 In Japan: Saying 相談 rather than "negotiate" frames a salary request as asking for advice. This softer approach is the expected way to raise pay in Japan.
Phrase Breakdown
一つご相談しても
hito tsu go soudan shi te mo
even if I consult you about one thing
The te-form + も (〜しても) starts a permission request. Pause naturally after も.
ここに座ってもいいですか。
May I sit here?
Words in this phrase
一
hito
[HEE-toh]
one
The number one; read 'hito' before the counter tsu.
ケーキを一つください。
One cake, please.
つ
tsu
[tsoo]
counter
A counter for general objects in Japanese.
卵を一つください。
Please give me one egg.
ご
go
[goh]
honorific prefix
Polite prefix placed before Sino-Japanese words like chuumon.
ご注文をどうぞ。
Please go ahead with your order.
相談
soudan
[soh-dahn]
consultation; advice
Refers to discussing a problem or asking for advice.
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
し is the stem of する, meaning to do.
予約しします。
I do the reservation.
て
te
[teh]
and; -te form
A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.
仕事を探している人と話しました。
I spoke with a person who is looking for work.
も
mo
[mo]
even
Indicating emphasis or inclusion.
私も驚いた。
Even I was surprised.
よろしいですか。
yoroshii desu ka
would it be all right?
This completes the polite pattern 〜てもよろしいですか, meaning 'May I...?'
質問してもよろしいですか。
May I ask a question?
Words in this phrase
よろしい
yoroshii
[yo-ro-SHEE]
all right; acceptable (polite)
Polite form of 'good'; used in asking permission.
お電話してもよろしいですか。
May I call you?
です
desu
[dess]
is; am; are
A basic polite copula used to say 'is/am/are.'
田中です。
I am Tanaka.
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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