JLPT N5 grammar
てもいいですか？ — Meaning & Examples
May I ~? / Is it OK to ~? て-form + もいいですか. はいってもいいですか = May I come in? Works with ANY verb.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on てもいいですか？. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. はいってもいいですか？(haitte mo ii desu ka?) means?
- May I come in?
- Is there anyone inside?
- Where is the entrance?
- Please come in
Show answer
Answer: May I come in?
はいる (enter) + てもいいですか (may I?) = May I come in? The てもいいですか pattern works with any verb to ask permission.
2. すわってもいいですか？(suwatte mo ii desu ka?) means?
- May I eat here?
- May I sit here?
- May I stand here?
- Is this seat taken?
Show answer
Answer: May I sit here?
すわる (sit) + てもいいですか = May I sit here? Essential on crowded Japanese trains!
Practise てもいいですか？ in the free app
This point is part of the “🆘 Survival Japanese — Phrases for Day 1” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N5 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N5 grammar points
From the same lesson: 🆘 Survival Japanese — Phrases for Day 1
Frequently asked questions
What does てもいいですか？ mean?
May I ~? / Is it OK to ~? て-form + もいいですか. はいってもいいですか = May I come in? Works with ANY verb.
Is てもいいですか？ on the JLPT N5 test?
てもいいですか？ is taught in the JLPT N5 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “🆘 Survival Japanese — Phrases for Day 1”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise てもいいですか？?
Open the “🆘 Survival Japanese — Phrases for Day 1” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N5 mock exams, with no ads.