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10.4 How to Ask for and Give Permission: Verb Te-Form + もいいですか (mo ii desu ka) and もいいです（よ）(mo ii desu [yo])

This module teaches you how to politely ask for and give permission using the te-form with もいいですか (mo ii desu ka) and もいいです（よ） (mo ii desu [yo]), respectively.

Introduction to てもいいですか and てもいいです（よ）

  • Te-form + もいいですか is used to politely ask for permission to do something, equivalent to ‘Is it okay if I …?’ or ‘May I …?’ in English. It’s a way to show respect and consideration when asking for the other person’s consent.
  • Te-form + もいいです（よ） is used to give permission to someone else, translating to ‘It’s okay if you …’ or ‘You may …’ in English. It reassures the person that their request is accepted, and they are free to proceed. The particle よ (yo) at the end is often used in conversation to add emphasis to the reassurance or encouragement.

How to form もいいですか

  • Start with the te-form of the verb (e.g., 食べる → 食べて, 行く → 行って, する → して).
  • Add もいいですか to the te-form.

 

Usage in sentences

Examples:

座（すわ）ってもいいですか。

Suwatte mo ii desu ka.

May I sit down?


 

お店（みせ）の中（なか）を見（み）てもいいですか。

Omise no naka o mite mo ii desu ka.

Is it okay if I look inside the shop?

 

入（はい）ってもいいですか。

Haitte mo ii desu ka.

May I come in?

 

このペン（ぺん）を使（つか）ってもいいですか。

Kono pen o tsukatte mo ii desu ka.

Is it okay if I use this pen?

 

ここで写真（しゃしん）を撮（と）ってもいいですか。

Koko de shashin o totte mo ii desu ka.

Is it okay if I take photos here?

How to form てもいいです（よ）

  • Start with the te-form of the verb (e.g., 食べる → 食べて, 行く → 行って, する → して).
  • Add もいいです（よ） to the te-form.

 

Usage in sentences

Examples:

A: この本（ほん）を借（か）りてもいいですか。

Kono hon, karite mo ii desu ka.

May I borrow this book?

B: はい、借りてもいいですよ。

Hai, karite mo ii desu yo.

Yes, you may borrow it.

 

A: ここで写真を撮（と）ってもいいですか。

Koko de shashin o totte mo ii desu ka.

Is it okay if I take photos here?

B: はい、撮ってもいいですよ。

Hai, totte mo ii desu yo.

Yes, you may take some.

 

Alternatively, you might hear:

B: はい、いいですよ。

Hai, ii desu yo.

Yes, that’s fine.

Or:

B: はい、どうぞ。

Hai, douzo.

Yes, go ahead.

 

NOTE: When responding affirmatively to a question with もいいですか, it’s common to simply say はい、いいですよ (Yes, that’s fine) or はい、どうぞ (Yes, go ahead). These responses are concise and polite, effectively giving permission without needing to repeat the full phrase.

Politely refusing requests

When responding negatively to a てもいいですか (te mo ii desu ka) question or any request in Japanese, speakers often use indirect methods to maintain politeness and soften the refusal. This approach is common in some languages and cultures, where indirect communication helps to preserve harmony and facilitate positive social interactions. One polite way to refuse in Japanese is:

すみませんが、ちょっと …

Sumimasen ga, chotto …

I’m sorry, but …

  1. すみません: ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘Excuse me’
  2. が: A particle indicating ‘but’
  3. ちょっと: Literally means ‘a little’, but in this context, it softens the refusal
  4. … (Trailing off): Implies a refusal without saying it directly

This phrase allows for a gentle refusal without explicitly saying ‘no’, which can be useful in various social and professional contexts. It’s similar to phrases such as ‘I’m afraid that …’ or ‘Unfortunately …’ in English, which also serve to soften refusals.

 

Usage in conversations

  • This phrase can be used alone or followed by a gentle explanation.
  • The tone and body language (such as a slight bow or apologetic expression) also contribute to conveying the refusal.

Examples:

A: ここでビデオ（びでお）を撮ってもいいですか。

Koko de bideo o totte mo ii desu ka?

May I take video here?

B: すみませんが、ちょっと…

Sumimasen ga, chotto…

I’m sorry, but… [implying ‘it’s not allowed’ or ‘I’d rather you didn’t’]

Exercise 1

 

 

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Japanese Introductory 1 Copyright © 2024 by Iori Hamada is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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