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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜ていい？

    〜ていい？

    〜ていい？

    You use this to ask for permission. It means 'Can I...?' or 'Is it okay if I...?'.

    N5KMT3CasualAuxiliary ConstructionSpoken OnlyCasual Permission And ProhibitionGrammar

    Verb [て-form] + いい？Primary

    You use this to ask for permission. It means 'Can I...?' or 'Is it okay if I...?'.

    このケーキ、もう食たべていい？

    Can I eat this cake now?

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingPermissionFood & Dining
    昨きの日う、君きみの自じ転てん車しゃを使つかっていいか聞きけばよかった。

    I should have asked if it was okay to use your bike yesterday.

    CasualPastAffirmativeMid SentencePermissionDaily Life
    今きょ日うの宿しゅく題だい、明あし日たまでに出ださなくてもいい？

    Is it okay if I don't turn in today's homework until tomorrow?

    CasualNon PastNegativeSentence EndingPermissionEducation
    これ、使つかっていいか、先せん生せいに聞きいてくるね。

    I'll go ask the teacher if it's okay to use this.

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentencePermissionEducation
    ちょっと暑あついね。窓まど、開あけていい？

    It's a little hot, isn't it? Is it okay if I open the window?

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingPermissionHome & HousingWeather & Geography

    Your voice must go up at the end. This shows you are asking a question. If your voice stays flat, it sounds like you are telling someone 'yes, you can do it'.

    This is different from 〜てもいい？. It is a shorter way to say it. You drop the も sound. You use it when speaking quickly. You use it with friends or family. It sounds more direct.

    Don't use this when you need to be polite. For example, don't use it with your boss. This phrase is very casual. It can sound rude. It can sound childish. Use "〜てもいいですか" instead. Or use "〜てもよろしいでしょうか".

    Contrasts with(3)

    〜ちゃ（じゃ）だめ？

    This is a very casual way to ask if you can do something. It means 'Is it not okay if I...?' or 'I can't...?, can I?'

    〜じゃだめ？

    You use this to ask for permission. You can also use it to suggest a different idea. It means 'Is it not okay if...?' or 'Can't I...?'

    〜て(で)いい

    This phrase means 'you can do it'. It also means 'it is okay to do it'. It is a casual way to give permission.

    Less formal alternatives(2)

    〜てもいい？

    A casual way to ask for permission, equivalent to 'May I...?' or 'Is it okay if I...?'.

    〜てもいいですか

    You use this to ask for permission. It means 'May I...?' or 'Is it okay if I...?'

    て形

    This is a special form of words. You use it to connect actions or ideas. It can mean "and then," "because," or "by doing something."

    〜てもいい？

    A casual way to ask for permission, equivalent to 'May I...?' or 'Is it okay if I...?'.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    less_formal_than

    • 〜てもいい？

    contrasts_with

    • 〜ちゃ（じゃ）だめ？
    • 〜じゃだめ？
    • 〜て(で)いい

    prerequisite

    • て形

    Variants

    • 〜てもいいですか

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