Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜てもいいですか

    〜てもいいですか

    〜てもいいですか

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

    N5KMT2PoliteStandardVerb ConstructionMixedTe Form Requests And PermissionsGrammar

    Verb [て-form] + も + いいですかPrimary

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

    この窓まどを開あけてもいいですか？

    Is it okay if I open this window?

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingRequestDaily LifeHome & Housing
    先せん生せい、トイレに行いってもいいですか？

    Teacher, may I go to the bathroom?

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingRequestEducationDaily Life
    今きょ日うの会かい議ぎ、参さん加かしなくてもいいですか？

    Is it alright if I don't participate in today's meeting?

    PoliteNon PastNegativeSentence EndingRequestWork & Career
    写しゃ真しんを撮とってもいいですかと聞きいたら、快こころよく承しょう諾だくしてくれた。

    When I asked if I could take a picture, they readily agreed.

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalTravel & TransportationArt & Design
    あの時とき、本ほん当とうは先さきに帰かえってもよかったのですか？

    Was it really okay for me to have left early at that time?

    FormalPastAffirmativeSentence EndingRequestEmotions & Psychology

    This phrase is like a polite 'Can I?' or 'May I?' in English. You can use it with most people. For very formal situations, like in a big business meeting, there are even more polite ways to ask.

    This is how you ask for permission. You use it when you want to do something. The phrase "~てもいいです" means you can do it. It gives permission. "~てもいい？" is a casual way to ask friends.

    Use this when you want to ask if you can do something. You are asking for permission. It is like saying, "May I...?" or "Is it okay if I...?"

    Contrasts with(2)

    〜て(で)もいい

    This means you have permission to do something. It is okay to do it. You can do it.

    〜てはいけません

    This phrase means you must not do something. It shows that doing it is not allowed.

    More formal alternatives(3)

    〜てもいい？

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

    〜ていい？

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

    〜て(で)もいい

    This means you have permission to do something. It is okay to do it. You can do it.

    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."

    〜いです / 〜かったです

    You add 〜いです to make an い-adjective polite. You add 〜かったです to make it polite and past tense.

    〜か

    This word makes a sentence a question. It is like putting a question mark at the end.

    〜も

    This word means 'also' or 'too'. It shows that something is an extra part of a group.

    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    prerequisite

    • て形
    • 〜いです / 〜かったです
    • 〜か
    • 〜も
    • 〜てもいいでしょうか
    • 〜ても構いませんか
    • 〜てもよろしいでしょうか
    • 〜てもよろしいですか

    Variants

    • 〜てもいい？
    • 〜ていい？

    contrasts_with

    • 〜て(で)もいい
    • 〜てはいけません

    Explore more

    Grammar dictionary›Browse all entries›