may do ~, it's okay to do ~

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Asks for or grants permission to do something.

[Te-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 photos here?

入ってもいいですよ。

Haitte mo ii desu yo.

It's okay to enter.

To refuse permission, use ～てはいけません not ～なくてもいいです.

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

～ことができます

can do ~, be able to do ~

Practice asking permission: トイレに行ってもいいですか？写真を撮ってもいいですか？

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 15

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