it's okay to ~, may I ~?

Beginner

10-15 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses permission. In question form, asks for permission.

[Verb て-form] + もいいです

ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか。

Koko de shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka.

May I take pictures here?

食べてもいいですよ。

Tabete mo ii desu yo.

It's okay to eat.

Don't confuse with ～てはいけません which means "must not".

～てはいけません

must not ~, may not ~

です/だ

to be (copula)

は (wa)

topic marker

が (ga)

subject marker

を (wo)

direct object marker

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

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