How do you say "Can I sit here?" in Japanese?

"Can I sit here?" in Japanese is "ここに座ってもいいですか。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘Can I sit here?’ in Japanese

Q: What does "ここに座ってもいいですか。" mean in English?

"ここに座ってもいいですか。" means "Can I sit here?" in English. Usage tip: [〜てもいいですか] is a handy pattern for asking permission: [写真を撮ってもいいですか。] means "Can I take a photo?" Here [座って] is the [て] form of [座る], used before that pattern.

ここに座ってもいいですか。

koko ni suwatsu te mo ii desu ka

[koh-koh nee zah-t teh moh ee dess kah]

💬 Usage Tip: [〜てもいいですか] is a handy pattern for asking permission: [写真を撮ってもいいですか。] means "Can I take a photo?" Here [座って] is the [て] form of [座る], used before that pattern.

Phrase Breakdown

ここ

koko

[koh-koh]

here

A word for this place or spot near the speaker.

Example

ここは静かな席です。

This is a quiet seat.

に

[nee]

in; at; to

A particle that marks location or destination.

Example

ここに荷物を置きます。

I will put my luggage here.

座っ

suwatsu

[zah-t]

sit

The stem of the verb 座る, used in a te-form connection here.

Example

窓側に座って話しました。

We sat by the window and talked.

て

[teh]

and; -ing

Part of the te-form ending that connects verbs or makes polite requests and permissions.

Example

手を洗って食べます。

I wash my hands and eat.

も

[moh]

even if; also

Here it helps form the pattern 〜てもいい, meaning permission.

Example

少し遅れても大丈夫です。

It is okay even if you are a little late.

いい

[ee]

good; okay

A common adjective meaning something is fine or acceptable.

Example

この方法がいいと思います。

I think this method is good.

です

desu

[dess]

is; am; are

A polite copula used to make statements polite.

Example

こちらは禁煙席です。

These are non-smoking seats.

か

[kah]

question marker

A sentence-ending particle that turns the sentence into a question.

Example

お水ですか。

Is it water?

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