A1 Expression Neutral 1 Min. Lesezeit

行ってもいいですか

itte mo ii desu ka

May I go?

Jetzt üben

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to politely ask for permission to leave or go to a specific location.

  • Means: 'Is it okay if I go?' or 'May I go?'
  • Used in: Asking a boss to leave, asking a friend to go out, or checking permission.
  • Don't confuse: '{行|い}っていい' (casual) with '{行|い}ってもいいですか' (polite).
Polite bow + 'Can I go?' = Respectful request

Erklärung auf deinem Niveau:

This phrase is used to ask if you can go somewhere. You use it when you want to leave or visit a place politely.
This is a common polite expression. It uses the 'te-form' of the verb 'iku' (to go) followed by 'mo ii desu ka' to ask for permission. It is essential for daily communication in Japan.
The expression '{行|い}ってもいいですか' functions as a social lubricant. By framing an action as a question of acceptability, the speaker demonstrates awareness of the listener's needs, which is a cornerstone of Japanese social etiquette.
This phrase exemplifies the Japanese tendency toward indirectness. Rather than stating an intention, the speaker invites the listener to grant permission, thereby preserving the 'wa' or social harmony. It is a standard construction for A1 learners but carries deeper implications of social hierarchy and situational awareness.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, this phrase illustrates the 'te-mo ii' construction, which serves as a modal expression of permission. It is a pragmatic strategy to mitigate the imposition of one's departure or movement on the interlocutor, reflecting the high-context nature of Japanese communication.
The phrase '{行|い}ってもいいですか' is a quintessential example of Japanese modal auxiliary usage. It functions within the framework of 'aisatsu' and 'keigo' to negotiate interpersonal space. By utilizing the 'te-form' connective, the speaker subordinates their volition to the listener's judgment, a hallmark of the Japanese politeness system that prioritizes the collective over the individual.

Bedeutung

Asks for permission to go somewhere.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

Asking permission is a sign of respect.

💡

Politeness

Always use 'desu ka' with strangers.

💡

Politeness

Always use 'desu ka' with strangers.

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the correct te-form.

____ もいいですか。

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 行って

The te-form is required for the 'mo ii' structure.

🎉 Ergebnis: /1

Aufgabensammlung

2 Aufgaben
Wähle die richtige Antwort Fill Blank

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Fill in the correct te-form. Fill Blank A1

____ もいいですか。

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 行って

The te-form is required for the 'mo ii' structure.

🎉 Ergebnis: /2

Häufig gestellte Fragen

1 Fragen

Yes, it is polite enough.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

{帰|かえ}ってもいいですか

similar

May I go home?

Wo du es verwendest

💼

Leaving work

You: お{先|さき}に{失礼|しつれい}します。もう{行|い}ってもいいですか。

formal
🍕

Asking a friend

You: あそこに{行|い}ってもいいですか。

neutral

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'I-ku' (go) + 'te-mo' (even if) + 'ii' (good). 'Even if I go, is it good?'

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine standing at a door, hand on the knob, looking back at your teacher with a polite smile.

Story

You are at a party. You want to leave. You walk to the host. You say the phrase. They smile and say 'Yes'.

In Other Languages

Similar to 'May I?' in English or 'Puis-je?' in French.

Word Web

{行|い}く{帰|かえ}る{食|た}べる{見|み}る{入|はい}る{出|で}る

Herausforderung

Use this phrase 3 times today in different contexts.

Review in 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days.

Aussprache

Betonung Flat pitch.

The 't' is a small pause.

Formalitätsspektrum

Formell
{行|い}ってもよろしいでしょうか。

{行|い}ってもよろしいでしょうか。 (General)

Neutral
{行|い}ってもいいですか。

{行|い}ってもいいですか。 (General)

Informell
{行|い}っていい？

{行|い}っていい？ (General)

Umgangssprache
いっていい？

いっていい？ (General)

Derived from the classical Japanese 'te' connective.

Edo:

Wusstest du?

It is one of the first phrases taught to foreigners.

Kulturelle Hinweise

Asking permission is a sign of respect.

“Always ask before leaving a group.”

Gesprächseinstiege

“

Ask your teacher if you can go to the library.

Häufige Fehler

✗

{行|い}くてもいいですか

✓

{行|い}ってもいいですか

wrong conjugation
You must use the 'te-form' (itte), not the 'ku-form'.

L1 Interference

0 1

In Other Languages

Spanish Very Similar

¿Puedo ir?

Japanese is more indirect.

French moderate

Puis-je y aller ?

Japanese uses a conditional structure.

German Very Similar

Darf ich gehen?

Japanese uses a verb-based structure.

Japanese n/a

{行|い}ってもいいですか

N/A

Arabic moderate

هل يمكنني الذهاب؟

Japanese focuses on acceptability.

Chinese Very Similar

我可以走吗？

Japanese is more polite.

Korean very_high

가도 돼요?

Minimal difference.

Portuguese Very Similar

Posso ir?

Japanese is more formal.

Spotted in the Real World

🎬

(1988)

“行ってもいいですか”

Asking to go somewhere.

Leicht verwechselbar

行ってもいいですか vs. {行|い}っていい

Too casual.

Add 'desu ka' for safety.

Häufig gestellte Fragen (1)

Yes, it is polite enough.

usage contexts

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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