Meaning
Gives permission or, in question form, asks for permission to act.
Formation
- Put the verb in the te-form and add もいいです.
- Add か for a question: 〜てもいいですか.
When to use it
- Permission
- The speaker says that an action is allowed.
- Requesting permission
- With か or rising intonation, asks whether the action is allowed.
Examples
20 sentences-
このパソコンを使ってもいいですか
May I use this computer?
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ここで写真を撮ってもいいです
You may take pictures here.
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この椅子に座ってもいいです
You may sit on this chair.
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先に帰ってもいいです
You may go home first.
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水を飲んでもいいです
You may drink water.
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その本を借りてもいいです
You may borrow that book.
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今日は休んでもいいです
You may rest today.
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辞書を使ってもいいです
You may use a dictionary.
12 more examples
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明日は遅く来てもいいです
You may come late tomorrow.
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ノートに日本語で書いてもいいです
You may write in Japanese in the notebook.
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小さな荷物を運んでもいいですか
May I carry the small luggage?
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青い封筒を選んでもいいですか
May I choose a blue envelope?
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古い雑誌を捨ててもいいですか
May I throw away the old magazines?
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台所の窓を開けてもいいですか
May I open the kitchen window?
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旅行の写真を見てもいいですか
May I look at the travel photos?
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短い手紙を書いてもいいですか
May I write a short letter?
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友達の話を聞いてもいいですか
May I listen to my friend's story?
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駅の名前を覚えてもいいですか
May I memorize the station name?
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家の鍵を探してもいいですか
May I look for the house key?
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晩ご飯の準備をしてもいいですか
May I prepare dinner?
Important notes
- いい applies to the whole pattern and means acceptability here, not simply the adjective 'good'.
Common mistakes
- Do not confuse it with 〜てはいけない, which prohibits the action.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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