Simplified Chinese - Asking Permission

我想___，需要先问一下吗？

wǒ xiǎng ___, xūyào xiān wèn yíxià ma?

Do I need permission to ___?

Meaning: Do I need permission to ___?

When to use: Use this when you plan to do something and want to know if you must ask first.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use 要不要问? which sounds less polite; this full phrase is a natural polite question.

我可以问谁

wǒ kěyǐ wèn shéi?

Who can I ask?

Meaning: Who can I ask?

When to use: Ask this when you need to know the right person to ask for permission.

你可以在这里___。

nǐ kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ ___.

You can ___ here.

Meaning: You can ___ here.

When to use: Use to tell someone an action is allowed in a specific place.

Tip: Don’t put the place after 可以 (wrong: 你可以___在这里) — the natural order is 你可以在这里___.

你不能在这里___。

nǐ bù néng zài zhèlǐ ___.

You can't ___ here.

Meaning: You can't ___ here.

When to use: Use to tell someone an action is not allowed in a place.

可以

kěyǐ.

It's allowed.

Meaning: It’s allowed.

When to use: Short reply to say something is permitted.

不可以

bù kěyǐ.

It's not allowed.

Meaning: It’s not allowed.

When to use: Short reply to clearly deny permission.

请不要___

qǐng bú yào ___.

Please don't ___.

Meaning: Please don’t ___.

When to use: Use politely to ask someone not to do something.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 别请不要—don't combine forms. Use 请不要 or 别, not both.

当然可以

dāngrán kěyǐ.

Yes, of course.

Meaning: Yes, of course.

When to use: Polite, friendly way to give permission.