~てもいい
〜temo ii
JLPT N4 Neutral
Formation
Verb-て form + もいい
To give or ask permission; 'it's okay to', 'may', 'can'.
When to use
'May, it's OK to': permission (入ってもいい). Refusing it: てはいけない.
Explanation
The ~てもいい grammar point is used to give or ask for permission to do something. It can be translated as 'it's okay to', 'may', or 'can' in English. The formation is derived by adding てもいい after the て-form of a verb.
Example sentences
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Is it okay to take a photo here?
Koko de shashin wo tottemo ii desu ka?
このリンゴを食べてもいいですか。
May I eat this apple?
Kono ringo wo tabetemo ii desu ka.
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You can go home after the exam is over.
Shiken ga owattara, kaettemo ii desu.
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It's okay to play with friends tonight.
Kon'ya tomodachi to asondemo ii.
Permission And Prohibition (May / Must Not)
- ~てはいけない〜te wa ikenaiN4Expresses prohibition; 'must not', 'cannot'.
- ~ものではない〜mono dewa naiN2Expresses a strong negative suggestion or prohibition:…
- ~てはならない〜te wa naranaiN2Express prohibition; 'must not', 'cannot', 'should not'.
- ~べきではない〜beki dewa naiN2Express that an action should not be done; 'should not'…
- Verbる べからざる NounVerb-ru bekara zaru NounN1Used to express what should not be done; 'must not'…
- Verbる べからず〜ru bekara zuN1Expresses the idea of 'must not do' or 'should not do'.
- ~差し支えない〜sashitsukaenaiN1Indicates no problem or obstacle; 'it’s fine if...'…
Corpus examples (60)
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You don't have to reply today.
「百八といえば煩悩の数だ」「お兄ちゃんはどんな煩悩があるの?」「言ってもいいが、検閲削除になるぞ」
"Talking about 108, that's the number of worldly passions." "What worldly passions have you got then?" "I could say, but it'll get censored out."
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I think we can all go in the same car.
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You're old enough to stand on your own feet.
抱き締めてもいいですか?
May I hug you?
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May I visit your home one of these days?
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May I have some more tea if there is any in the pot?
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I hope you won't mind if I give you some advice.
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It's high time you went to bed, Ken.
寝てもいいですか。
May I go to bed?
試着してもいいですか。
May I try that on?
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"May I use this telephone?" "Go ahead."
ソファーに寝転がってもいい?
Can I lie down on the couch?
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Can I pay for the book by check?
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Feel free to speak German.
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Would you mind translating this into French for me?
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Can I say it in French?
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He ought to have come by now.
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What do you need sunglasses for in such a dark place?
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May I ask a favor of you?
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May I make a suggestion about it?
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May I ask a few more questions about that point? It's a little obscure.
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May I ask why?
話してもいいですか。
May I speak to you?
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Could I sit on the aisle?