Japanese - Lesson 6 of 168: Politeness

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

___てもいいですか？

___te mo ii desu ka?

Can I ___, please?

Meaning: Can I ___, please?

When to use: Use when you want to ask permission to do something for yourself. Put a verb in the て (te) form before もいいですか？ For example, 写真を撮ってもいいですか？

Tip: Beginners sometimes forget to use the て形 (te-form) and say the dictionary form instead; make sure it's verb-te + もいいですか？

写真を撮ってもいいですか？

Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?

Can I take a photo?

窓を開けてもいいですか？

Mado o akete mo ii desu ka?

Can I open the window?

___、ありがとうございます。

___, arigatō gozaimasu.

Thanks for ___.

Meaning: Thanks for ___.

When to use: Use this to thank someone for a thing or an action. Put a noun or a short clause before 「、ありがとうございます。」 If someone did something for you, you can also say ～てくれて、ありがとうございます。

助けてくれて、ありがとうございます。

Tasukete kurete, arigatō gozaimasu.

Thank you for helping me.

プレゼント、ありがとうございます。

Purezento, arigatō gozaimasu.

Thanks for the present.

ちょっと待ってください。

Chotto matte kudasai.

Just a moment, please.

Meaning: Just a moment, please.

When to use: Say this when you need someone to wait briefly (at a counter, on the phone, etc.). It's polite and common in daily life.

すみません、ちょっと待ってください。

Sumimasen, chotto matte kudasai.

Excuse me, please wait a moment.

すぐに用意します。ちょっと待ってください。

Sugu ni yōi shimasu. Chotto matte kudasai.

I'll prepare it right away. Please wait a moment.

どうぞ

Dōzo.

Here you go.

Meaning: Here you go.

When to use: A short polite phrase for handing something over, offering a seat, or inviting someone to go first.

カギ、どうぞ

Kagi, dōzo.

Here is the key.

席があります。どうぞ。

Seki ga arimasu. Dōzo.

There is a seat. Please, here you go.

大丈夫です

Daijōbu desu.

Don't worry.

Meaning: Don’t worry.

When to use: Use this to reassure someone after a small mistake or apology. It can also mean 'I'm fine' depending on context.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use 大丈夫です too broadly; remember context — it can mean 'it's okay' or 'I'm fine.'

ごめんなさい。大丈夫です。

Gomen nasai. Daijōbu desu.

I'm sorry. It's okay.

転んでも、大丈夫です。

Koronde mo, daijōbu desu.

Even if you fall, it's okay.

それで大丈夫ですか？

Sore de daijōbu desu ka?

Is that okay?

Meaning: Is that okay?

When to use: Use this to check whether a plan, suggestion, or arrangement is acceptable to the other person. 'それで' refers to the idea you just mentioned.

Tip: Don't mix this with いいですか？ without context — それで points back to the suggestion or plan just stated.

明日午後で会いましょう。それで大丈夫ですか？

Ashita gogo de aimashō. Sore de daijōbu desu ka?

Let's meet tomorrow afternoon. Is that okay?

これで終わりです。それで大丈夫ですか？

Kore de owari desu. Sore de daijōbu desu ka?

This is the end. Is that okay?

Japanese - Politeness

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

How do you politely ask "Can I open the window?"

Which phrase best means "Here you go" when handing someone something?

Someone apologizes for bumping into you. Which reply is most natural to reassure them?

You propose a plan and want to check if it's acceptable. Which phrase do you use?

I want to take flower photos in the park. I ask my friend, 'Can I take a photo?'

I set the meeting time to 3 PM. I confirm with the other person: 'Is that okay?'

My friend carried my heavy bag. I say, 'Thank you for helping me.'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice