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Japanese grammar

What does ～てもいいです mean? Japanese grammar N5

～てもいいです means it's okay to ~ / may ~.

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N5
StructureV て + もいいです
Romaji~ te mo ii desu
Meaningit's okay to ~ / may ~

How to use it

Asking for or giving permission.

  • Asking permission: 「写真を撮ってもいいですか。」(May I take a photo?)
  • Giving permission: 「はい、いいですよ。」
  • A polite refusal usually doesn't say "no" directly, but says 「ちょっと…」 (that's a bit inconvenient...).

Examples

  • May I take photos here?

  • You may open the window.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong写真(しゃしん)を撮(と)るもいいですか。

    Correct写真(しゃしん)を撮(と)ってもいいですか。

    This pattern attaches to the て form, not the dictionary form.

Related patterns

All N5 grammar →