How to Say ‘May I…? / Is it okay if I…?’ in Japanese
〜てもいいですか
te mo ii desu ka
[teh moh ee dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Attach to the [て] form: [食べて] + [もいいですか] → “May I eat?” It’s polite and very useful on calls.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Even if you technically “can,” Japanese often frames it as checking the other person’s comfort/permission—shows consideration.
Phrase Breakdown
て
te
[teh]
te-form marker
Used after a verb’s te-form in the permission pattern: V-て + もいいですか.
窓を開け て もいいですか。
May I open the window?
も
mo
[moh]
also; even if
In 〜てもいい, expresses “even if (I do it), it’s fine” → asking permission.
少し遅れても も いいですか。
Is it okay if I’m a little late?
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
Makes the request polite (common with teachers/school staff).
入ってもいいです か。
May I come in?
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Ends the pattern as a question: “May I…?”
写真を撮ってもいいです か。
May I take a photo?
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