Lesson 7: Expressing Permission with "mo ii desu"

In this lesson, we will explore the grammar structure "mo ii desu" in Japanese. This construction is used to express permission or granting someone's request. It can be translated as "it's okay to" or "you may" in English.

Examples:

1. [Noun/Verb (masu form) + mo ii desu]

   - 電話を使ってもいいですか？

     (Denwa o tsukatte mo ii desu ka?)

     Translation: "Is it okay to use the phone?"

   - ちょっと早く帰ってもいいですか？

     (Chotto hayaku kaette mo ii desu ka?)

     Translation: "Is it okay to go home a little early?"

   - この本を借りてもいいですか？

     (Kono hon o karite mo ii desu ka?)

     Translation: "Is it okay to borrow this book?"

Exercises:

1. Translate the following sentences to Japanese:

   a) "May I drink some water?"

   b) "Is it okay to take a picture here?"

   c) "Can I use your pen?"

2. Complete the sentences using the appropriate form of "mo ii desu":

   a) もう少し待っても _____________。(ii)

   b) ここで食べても _____________。(ii)

   c) 彼女と話しても _____________。(ii)

3. Create sentences using "mo ii desu":

   a) "Is it okay to leave the door open?"

   b) "May I use your computer?"

   c) "Can I bring my friend to the party?"

Exercise Solutions:

1. a) "May I drink some water?"

   - 水を飲んでもいいですか？

     (Mizu o nonde mo ii desu ka?)

   b) "Is it okay to take a picture here?"

   - ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか？

     (Koko de shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?)

   c) "Can I use your pen?"

   - あなたのペンを使ってもいいですか？

     (Anata no pen o tsukatte mo ii desu ka?)

2. a) もう少し待ってもいいです。(ii)

   (Mō sukoshi matte mo ii desu.)

   b) ここで食べてもいいです。(ii)

   (Koko de tabete mo ii desu.)

   c) 彼女と話してもいいです。(ii)

   (Kanojo to hanashite mo ii desu.)

3. a) "Is it okay to leave the door open?"

   - ドアを開けたままにしてもいいですか？

     (Doa o aketa mama ni shite mo ii desu ka?)

   b) "May I use your computer?"

   - あなたのコンピューターを使ってもいいですか？

     (Anata no konpyūtā o tsukatte mo ii desu ka?)

   c) "Can I bring my friend to the party?"

   - パーティーに友達を連れて行ってもいいですか？

     (Pātī ni tomodachi o tsurete itte mo ii desu ka?)

Kanji Translation List:

- 電話 (でんわ) - denwa - phone

- 使う (つかう) - tsukau - to use

- ちょっと (chotto) - a little

- 早く (はやく) - hayaku - early

- 帰る (かえる) - kaeru - to go home

- 本 (ほん) - hon - book

- 借りる (かりる) - kariru - to borrow

- もう少し (もうすこし) - mō sukoshi - a little more

- 待つ (まつ) - matsu - to wait

- ここ (koko) - here

- 食べる (たべる) - taberu - to eat

- 彼女 (かのじょ) - kanojo - she, girlfriend

- 話す (はなす) - hanasu - to speak, to talk

Please refer to this Kanji Translation List as a reference while studying and understanding the lesson. Well done on completing the exercises! Continue practicing to