～てもいい

N4

～てもいい

temo ii

It's okay to / May / Can (permission)

N4

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Explanation

The grammar point ～てもいい is used to ask for or give permission to do something. It is formed by adding てもいい to the て-form of a verb. It can be translated as 'it's okay to', 'may', or 'can' in English.

Structure

Pattern
Verb (て-form) + もいい
Verb (て-form)The て-form of the verb, used to connect to もいい.
Examples: 食べて, 行って, 遊んで
もいいMeans 'it's okay to' or 'may', gives or asks permission.
Examples: 食べてもいい, 行ってもいい

Examples

Example 1
ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか。
Koko de shashin wo tottemo ii desu ka?
Is it okay to take a photo here?
Breakdown
ここでhere (location particle)
写真photo
をobject marker
撮ってtake (te-form)
もいいmay/it's okay
ですかpolite question
Note: Polite way to ask for permission.
Example 2
このリンゴを食べてもいいですか。
Kono ringo wo tabetemo ii desu ka.
May I eat this apple?
Breakdown
このthis
リンゴapple
をobject marker
食べてeat (te-form)
もいいmay/it's okay
ですかpolite question
Note: Asking for permission to eat.
Example 3
試験が終わったら、帰ってもいいです。
Shiken ga owattara, kaettemo ii desu.
You can go home after the exam is over.
Breakdown
試験exam
がsubject marker
終わったらif/when finished
帰ってgo home (te-form)
もいいmay/it's okay
ですpolite
Note: Giving permission after a condition is met.
Example 4
今夜友達と遊んでもいい。
Kon'ya tomodachi to asondemo ii.
It's okay to play with friends tonight.
Breakdown
今夜tonight
友達とwith friends
遊んでplay (te-form)
もいいmay/it's okay
Note: Informal, granting permission.

Related Grammar

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