In Japanese, if you want to ask “May I…?” or “Is it okay if I…?”, the most common and natural way is to use:

〜てもいいですか？

This structure is polite and used for asking permission.

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How to Make It

Use the て-form of a verb + もいいですか？

Examples:

Verb	て-form	Full Phrase
食たべる (to eat)	食たべて	食たべてもいいですか？ (May I eat?)
見みる (to watch)	見みて	見みてもいいですか？ (Can I watch?)
行いく (to go)	行いって	行いってもいいですか？ (Is it okay if I go?)
座すわる (to sit)	座すわって	座すわってもいいですか？ (May I sit?)
借かりる (to borrow)	借かりて	借かりてもいいですか？ (Can I borrow?)

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Example Sentences

1. このペン、使つかってもいいですか？
   Is it okay if I use this pen?
2. トイレに行いってもいいですか？
   Can I go to the bathroom?
3. ここに座すわってもいいですか？
   May I sit here?
4. 写真しゃしんを撮とってもいいですか？
   Is it okay to take a photo?

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Saying “Yes”

• はい、いいですよ。 (Yes, it’s okay.)
• どうぞ。 (Go ahead / Please do.)
• もちろん。 (Of course.)

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Saying “No”

• すみません、ちょっと…。 (Sorry, it’s a bit…)
• ごめんなさい、それはできません。 (I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.)

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Practice Time

Translate these into Japanese using 〜てもいいですか？:

1. May I open the window?
2. Can I use your phone?
3. May I take a break?
4. Can I ask a question?
5. May I enter this room?

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Tips

• Use in polite settings: school, work, public places.
• To make it casual: Drop the ですか and simply ask: 〜てもいい？

Example:
これ、食たべてもいい？ (Can I eat this?)

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Use this phrase often and you’ll sound both natural and polite in Japanese!

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