「〜てもいいですか」- Requesting Permission

Explanation

「〜てもいいですか」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to request permission, meaning "Is it okay to...?" or "May I...?". It is commonly used to ask for someone's permission to do something and is considered a polite expression.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb て-form + もいいですか	Verb て-form + もいいですか	Used to ask for permission to do something.

Basic Usage

Connection

• Verb て-form + もいいですか

Meaning

• Requests permission: "Is it okay to...?"

Examples

• 窓まどを開あけてもいいですか。
• Mado o akete mo ii desu ka.
• Is it okay to open the window?
  

• ここ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 to take photos here?
  

• このこの本ほんを借かりてもいいですか。
• Kono hon o karite mo ii desu ka.
• Is it okay to borrow this book?
  

• 明日あしたの会議かいぎに遅おくれてもいいですか。
• Ashita no kaigi ni okurete mo ii desu ka.
• Is it okay to be late for tomorrow's meeting?
  

Comparison and Differences

Although both 「〜てもいいですか」 and 「〜てもかまいませんか」 are used to request permission, they differ in tone and formality.

Grammar Point	Tone	Formality
〜てもいいですか	More casual	General
〜てもかまいませんか	More formal	Higher

Example:

• ここここでタバコたばこを吸すってもかまいませんか。
• Koko de tabako o sutte mo kamaimasen ka.
• Is it okay to smoke here?
  

Deep Dive

「〜てもいいですか」 is a very common way to request permission and is suitable for most everyday situations. Its tone is relatively casual, making it appropriate for conversations with friends, colleagues, or family. In formal situations or when speaking to superiors, it is better to use more polite expressions like 「〜てもかまいませんか」.

Summary

「〜てもいいですか」 is a frequently used Japanese grammatical structure for requesting permission, meaning "Is it okay to...?". Mastering this pattern will help you politely ask for permission in everyday conversations.