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Grammar JLPT Level N5 - Lesson 18

Structure of ～てもいい (Verb):

Verb［て］+ も + いい

Details about ～てもいい (Verb):

Verb + てもいい is a construction in Japanese used to express that something is 'okay', or 'alright'. It can also be used as a question to ask if you 'can', or 'may' do something.

その靴(くつ)を買(か)ってもいいよ。
It's alright if you buy those shoes.
この肉(にく)は食(た)べてもいいです。
It is okay to eat this meat.
明日(あした)は家(いえ)に行(い)ってもいいですか？
Is it okay if I go to your house tomorrow?
ペンを借(か)りてもいいですか？
May I borrow your pen?

This phrase is also regularly used without the も, but is considered a bit more direct/casual. It is best to remove the も only when talking to people that you know well.
This expression is simply a construction that literally means て (verb) も (also) いい (is good).

～てもいい (Verb)

Usage Notes for ～てもいい (Verb):

As this grammar point uses the て form of verbs, it is important to remember that some verbs will use で instead of て.

Synonyms for ～てもいい (Verb):

てもいい

It is alright/fine/okay even if, Can/may, ~ is also okay

ても

Even if, Even though

てもかまわない

It doesn't matter if, I don't mind

Verb + て

And, Then (Linking events)

といってもいい

You could say, You might say

でよければ

If it is alright, If you don't mind, If you would like, If possible

Example of ～てもいい (Verb)

これを見(み)てもいい？

Is it alright if I look at this?

質問(しつもん)をしてもいい？

May I ask a question?

暑(あつ)いです。水(みず)を飲(の)んでもいいですか。

It's hot. Is it alright to drink some water?

あそこで遊(あそ)んでもいいです。

You may play over there.

ここで本(ほん)を読(よ)んでもいいでしょう。

It is okay if I read a book here, right?

Grammar same lesson

ませんか

Won't you, Would you not, Why don't we

report

～ないで下(くだ)さい

Please don't (Polite request)

report

～てはいけない

Must not, May not

report

なくてはいけない

Must do, Have to do

report

～て下(くだ)さい

Please do (Polite request)

report

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