How to say "Can I...?"

1. 1

   〜てもいいですか

   ~te mo ii desu ka

   The standard polite way to ask 'Can I...?' or 'Is it okay if I...?' Attach to the て-form of a verb. This is the N5 permission pattern you'll use constantly.

   Use when asking if you can sit somewhere, take a photo, try something on, use something

   ここに座ってもいいですか。

   koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka.

   Can I sit here?

2. 2

   いいですか

   ii desu ka

   A shorter version, just いいですか after a noun or short phrase. Less grammatically formal but very common and perfectly natural in everyday speech.

   Use when quick permission checks, casual situations, asking before doing something obvious

   これ、いいですか。

   kore, ii desu ka.

   Is this okay?

3. 3

   〜てもよろしいですか

   ~te mo yoroshii desu ka

   The more formal version of てもいいですか. Uses よろしい instead of いい. Best for formal settings, speaking to a boss, a professor, or in a very polite service context.

   Use when formal permission, asking a boss, requesting in a very polite context

   質問してもよろしいですか。

   shitsumon shite mo yoroshii desu ka.

   May I ask a question?

Saved phrases collect at practice → saved; quiz them and they enter your review queue.