When learning Japanese, one of the most useful grammar patterns you’ll encounter is ～てもいいですか, which means “Is it okay if I…?” or “May I…?” This polite and practical expression helps you ask for permission in everyday situations—at school, at work, while traveling, or just chatting with friends.

Let’s break it down and learn how to use it!

💡 Basic Structure

The structure is:

[Verb in て-form] + もいいですか

This is how you politely ask “Is it okay if I [do something]?”

✅ Examples

Here are some useful and common examples:

• 📖 読よんでもいいですか？→ May I read it?
• 🚪 入はいってもいいですか？→ May I come in?
• 🧃 飲のんでもいいですか？→ May I drink this?
• 🖊️ これを使つかってもいいですか？→ May I use this?

These can be used in a variety of settings—when visiting someone’s home, in a classroom, or at a store.

🔄 How to Make the て-form

To use ～てもいいですか, you need to know how to change the verb into its て-form. Here’s a quick reminder:

• たべる (to eat) → たべて
• のむ (to drink) → のんで
• あそぶ (to play) → あそんで
• いく (to go) → いって
• する (to do) → して
• くる (to come) → きて

Once you have the て-form, just add もいいですか.

🙆 Giving Permission

If someone asks you using ～てもいいですか, you can reply:

• はい、いいですよ。
  → Yes, that’s fine.
• もちろんです。
  → Of course.

Or if you want to say no:

• すみません、ちょっと…
  → Sorry, it’s a bit… (This is a polite and indirect way to say no.)
• いけません。
  → You may not. (More strict or formal)

✏️ Practice Time!

Try making your own questions using this pattern! For example:

• Can I take a photo? → 写真しゃしんを撮とってもいいですか？
• Can I sit here? → ここに座すわってもいいですか？

📝 Summary

～てもいいですか is a polite and essential expression to ask for permission in Japanese. By mastering this pattern, you’ll sound more natural and respectful in your conversations!

👉 Next time you’re in Japan or speaking with a Japanese friend, try using it! 💬✨

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