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How to Say ‘May I ask about the cancellation policy first?’ in Japanese

先にキャンセル規定を伺ってもよろしいですか。

saki ni kyanseru kitei o ukagatsu te mo yoroshii desu ka

[sah-kee nee kyanseru kee-TAY wo oo-KAHG teh yo-ro-SHEE dess ka]

💬 Usage Tip: 伺う (ukagau) is a humble word for "to ask". The pattern 〜てもよろしいですか means "may I…?". You can reuse it with other verbs: 座ってもよろしいですか "may I sit?"

🇯🇵 In Japan: Asking about the cancellation policy before you book is normal in Japan. Staff won't take it as a sign you're unreliable.

Phrase Breakdown

先にキャンセル規定を

saki ni kyanseru kitei o

first, the cancellation policy (object)

先に means 'first, beforehand.' キャンセル規定 means 'cancellation policy.' The particle を marks the object: sa-ki-ni kyan-se-ru ki-te-i o.

Example

先に料金を確認します。

I'll check the price first.

Words in this phrase

先

saki

[sah-kee]

ahead; first

Means earlier or before something else in order or timing.

Example

先を確認します。

I will check the earlier one first.

に

[nee]

(adverbial particle)

Turns a noun into an adverb, here 'beforehand'.

Example

先に食べてください。

Please eat first.

キャンセル

kyanseru

[kyanseru]

cancellation; cancel

A loanword used when canceling a reservation, booking, or ticket.

Example

キャンセルはできますか。

Can I cancel it?

規定

kitei

[kee-TAY]

policy; regulation

A set rule or stipulation, such as a store's terms.

Example

規定の料金をお支払いください。

Please pay the specified fee.

を

[wo]

direct object marker

Marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

本を読む。

Read a book.

伺っても

ukagatsu te mo

even if I ask / may I ask

伺う is the humble verb for 'to ask.' The ても form is used to ask for permission. Pause briefly at the small っ: u-ka-gat-te-mo.

Example

お名前を伺ってもいいですか。

May I ask your name?

Words in this phrase

伺っ

ukagatsu

[oo-KAHG]

ask; hear (humble)

Humble form of 'ask' or 'hear', used when speaking to someone of higher status.

Example

先生にお話を伺いました。

I heard a talk from the teacher.

て

[teh]

te-form ending

This ending connects actions, like 'cut and...' in instructions.

Example

てをつけると、つぎのどうさにつなげられます。

When you add -te, you can connect it to the next action.

も

よろしいですか。

yoroshii desu ka

Would that be all right?

A polite way to ask permission. Raise your intonation at the end.

Example

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.

Example

お電話してもよろしいですか。

May I call you?

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

[ka]

question particle

Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.

Example

行くか？

Shall we go?

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