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？

    〜てもいい？

    〜てもいい？

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

    N5KMT2CasualAuxiliary ConstructionMixedCasual Permission And ProhibitionGrammar

    Verb [て-form] + も + いい？Primary
    い-Adjective [て-form] + も + いい？
    な-Adjective [+ で] + も + いい？
    Noun + で + も + いい？

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

    このテレビ、つけてもいい？

    Can I turn on this TV?

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingPermissionDaily LifeHome & Housing
    ここで写しゃ真しんを撮とってもいい？

    Is it okay if I take a picture here?

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingPermissionTravel & TransportationArt & Design
    弟おとうとは「お兄にいちゃんのゲーム、やってもいい？」と聞きいてきた。

    My little brother asked me, 'Is it okay if I play your game?'

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentencePermissionFamily & RelationshipsGames
    少すこし辛からくてもいい？

    Is it okay if it's a little spicy?

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingPermissionFood & Dining
    支し払はらいはカードでもいい？

    Is it okay to pay by card?

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingPermissionBusiness & FinanceDaily Life

    This is softer than "〜ていい？". The "も" adds a feeling of "even if". "〜ていい？" is more direct. You use it with close friends. For polite talk, use "〜てもよろしいでしょうか".

    Don't use this when you want to ask if you don't have to do something. For example, to ask "Is it okay if I don't go?" you would say "Ikanakute mo ii?"

    Use this when you want to ask for permission. It is for casual talk. Use it with friends or family. Do not use it with your boss or teacher.

    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)もいい

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

    More formal alternatives(1)

    〜ていい？

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

    Less formal alternatives(1)

    〜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."

    〜い / 〜かった

    This is the basic form of an い-adjective. It describes a quality of something. You use it for present or past qualities.

    〜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

    more_formal_than

    • 〜ていい？

    contrasts_with

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

    prerequisite

    • て形
    • 〜い / 〜かった
    • 〜も

    Variants

    • 〜てもいいですか

    Explore more

    Grammar dictionary›Browse all entries›