Japanese - Permission

___もいいですか？

___ mo ii desu ka?

Can I ___?

Meaning: Can I ___?

When to use: Use this to ask for permission to do an action. Put the verb in て-form (or で-form) before も: 使ってもいいですか？

Tip: Learners sometimes forget the て-form and try the dictionary form (e.g., *開けもいいですか).

私たち、___もいいですか？

Watashitachi, ___ mo ii desu ka?

Can we ___?

Meaning: Can we ___?

When to use: Use 私たち、〜もいいですか？ when your group wants permission. You can omit 私たち if the group is clear from context.

___もよろしいですか？

___ mo yoroshii desu ka?

May I ___?

Meaning: May I ___?

When to use: A politer/formal alternative to 〜もいいですか。Insert verb in て/で-form before も: 使ってもよろしいですか？

___も大丈夫ですか？

___ mo daijōbu desu ka?

Is it okay if I ___?

Meaning: Is it okay if I ___?

When to use: Use 〜も大丈夫ですか when you want to check if an action is allowed or causes no problem: ここで座っても大丈夫ですか？

___を使ってもいいですか？

___ o tsukatte mo ii desu ka?

Can I use ___?

Meaning: Can I use ___?

When to use: Ask this when you want to use an object. Put を after the thing: このペンを使ってもいいですか？

Tip: Beginners sometimes forget を after the object (e.g., *このペン使ってもいいですか).

___を取ってもいいですか？

___ o totte mo ii desu ka?

Can I take ___?

Meaning: Can I take ___?

When to use: Use this to ask if you can take or pick up something. Put を after the thing: それを取ってもいいですか？

はい、いいですよ。

Hai, ii desu yo.

Yes, you can.

Meaning: Yes, you can.

When to use: Use this friendly reply to give permission. よ adds a confirming tone: はい、いいですよ。

はい、どうぞ

Hai, dōzo.

Sure, go ahead.

Meaning: Sure, go ahead.

When to use: Common and friendly when offering permission or handing something over: はい、どうぞ。

大丈夫です

Daijōbu desu.

That's okay.

Meaning: That's okay.

When to use: Use 大丈夫です to say something is allowed or acceptable depending on context: 大丈夫です。

すみません、だめです。

Sumimasen, dame desu.

No, sorry.

Meaning: No, sorry.

When to use: Use すみません、だめです。 to refuse permission politely. You can soften it with an explanation.

___はいいですか。

___ wa ii desu ka.

Is ___ allowed?

Meaning: Is ___ allowed?

When to use: Use 「名詞＋はいいですか。」 to ask whether a thing is permitted. For actions, use verb て-form + もいいですか。

Tip: Don't use this form for actions; learners sometimes say *写真を撮るはいいですか instead of 写真はいいですか or 撮ってもいいですか。

___は大丈夫ですか？

___ wa daijōbu desu ka?

Are ___ allowed?

Meaning: Are ___ allowed?

When to use: Use 「〜は大丈夫ですか？」 to check whether multiple things or people are permitted or acceptable.

ここで大丈夫ですか？

koko de daijōbu desu ka?

Is it allowed here?

Meaning: Is it allowed here?

When to use: Say ここで大丈夫ですか？ when you want to check whether an action is allowed in the current place.