Phrase in 30 Seconds
A high-level formal request used to seek permission from superiors or customers with utmost respect.
- Means: 'May I [verb]?' or 'Would it be acceptable if I [verb]?'
- Used in: Business meetings, high-end service, and talking to teachers.
- Don't confuse: With '〜てもいいですか', which is polite but less formal.
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
A polite way to ask for permission to do something.
Contexto cultural
Using 'yoroshii' is part of 'Kizukai' (anticipating others' needs). By asking permission for small things, you show you are not self-centered. In high-end Ryokan (inns), staff will use this phrase for every action, from entering the room to pouring tea, to ensure the guest feels in control. Students in Japan rarely use 'ii desu ka' with professors. 'Yoroshii desu ka' is the baseline for showing respect to a sensei's expertise. Even in crowded trains, if you need to move someone's bag to sit, using this phrase can prevent conflict in a society that avoids direct confrontation.
The 'Deshou' Upgrade
If you really want to impress a Japanese boss, use '〜てもよろしいでしょうか'. It sounds much more sophisticated.
Don't over-use with friends
It makes you sound like you're keeping them at arm's length. Stick to '〜ていい？'
The 'Deshou' Upgrade
If you really want to impress a Japanese boss, use '〜てもよろしいでしょうか'. It sounds much more sophisticated.
Don't over-use with friends
It makes you sound like you're keeping them at arm's length. Stick to '〜ていい？'
The Silent Permission
Sometimes, a slight bow and a look of inquiry is enough, but saying the phrase is always safer for learners.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the most appropriate phrase for a job interview when asking to enter the room.
{失礼|しつれい}します。____。
In a job interview, '〜てもよろしいですか' is the expected level of formality.
Complete the sentence to ask for permission to take a photo in a museum.
{写真|しゃしん}を____もよろしいですか。
The phrase requires the Te-form of the verb {撮|と}る (to take a photo).
Finish the dialogue between a shop clerk and a customer.
Clerk: {袋|ふくろ}にお{入|い}れしてもよろしいですか。 Customer: ____。
When someone asks you '〜てもよろしいですか', the standard polite response is 'Hai, onegaishimasu'.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Ayudas visuales
The Politeness Ladder
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejercicios{失礼|しつれい}します。____。
In a job interview, '〜てもよろしいですか' is the expected level of formality.
{写真|しゃしん}を____もよろしいですか。
The phrase requires the Te-form of the verb {撮|と}る (to take a photo).
Clerk: {袋|ふくろ}にお{入|い}れしてもよろしいですか。 Customer: ____。
When someone asks you '〜てもよろしいですか', the standard polite response is 'Hai, onegaishimasu'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasYes, essentially. It is the formal version used in Keigo.
Yes, it is very appropriate for teachers and professors.
'Kamaimasen ka' specifically asks if it's 'no problem' or 'not a bother,' while 'yoroshii desu ka' asks if it's 'good/appropriate.'
Usually 'Hai, douzo' (Yes, please) or 'Hai, kamaimasen' (Yes, I don't mind).
Frases relacionadas
〜てもいいですか
similarMay I? (Polite)
〜てもよろしいでしょうか
specialized formWould it be acceptable?
〜させていただけますか
builds onCould I be allowed to...?
〜てもかまいませんか
similarDo you mind if I...?
Dónde usarla
Job Interview
Candidate: {失礼|しつれい}いたします。{座|すわ}ってもよろしいですか。
Interviewer: はい、どうぞ。お{掛|か}けください。
High-end Boutique
Customer: このバッグ、{手|て}に{取|と}ってもよろしいですか。
Staff: かしこまりました。どうぞ、ご{覧|らん}ください。
Office Meeting
Employee: {資料|しりょう}を{配|くば}ってもよろしいですか。
Manager: ええ、お{願|ねが}いします。
Visiting a Home (Formal)
Guest: {台所|だいどころ}を{拝借|はいしゃく}してもよろしいですか。
Host: はい、どうぞ。ご{自由|じゆう}に。
Asking for a Photo
Tourist: いっしょに{写真|しゃしん}を{撮|と}ってもよろしいですか。
Local: いいですよ！
Phone Call
Caller: {今|いま}、お{話|はな}ししてもよろしいですか。
Receiver: はい、{大丈夫|だいじょうぶ}ですよ。
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'Yoroshii' as 'Your Royal...'. You use it when talking to someone you treat like royalty (bosses, customers).
Asociación visual
Imagine yourself standing at the entrance of a beautiful Japanese tea room, bowing slightly, and asking for permission to step on the tatami mats.
Rhyme
When 'ii' is too small, 'yoroshii' stands tall.
Story
You are a secret agent trying to enter a high-security business meeting. To blend in, you must never say 'ii desu ka.' You practice saying 'yoroshii desu ka' while bowing to a mirror until it feels like second nature.
In Other Languages
In English, it's the difference between 'Is it okay?' and 'Would it be permissible?'. In French, it's like moving from 'Ça va?' to 'Puis-je vous demander...?'
Word Web
Desafío
Try to use this phrase three times today in your head whenever you want to do something simple, like opening a door or checking your phone.
Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after learning to solidify the 'Te-form' connection.
Pronunciación
The 'o' sounds are short, and the 'ii' at the end is a long vowel.
The 'u' in 'desu' is often silent (de-ska).
Espectro de formalidad
こちらを{拝見|はいけん}してもよろしいですか。 (Looking at a product)
これを{見|み}てもいいですか。 (Looking at a product)
これ{見|み}ていい？ (Looking at a product)
これ{見|み}ておk？ (Looking at a product)
Derived from the classical Japanese adjective 'yoroshi,' which meant 'not bad' or 'suitable.' It was a step below 'yoshi' (excellent) but over time became the refined choice for formal speech.
Dato curioso
In the Kansai region (Osaka/Kyoto), you might hear 'yoroshii naa' used as a compliment, showing its roots as a word for 'good.'
Notas culturales
Using 'yoroshii' is part of 'Kizukai' (anticipating others' needs). By asking permission for small things, you show you are not self-centered.
“{名刺|めいし}を{交換|こうかん}させていただいてもよろしいですか。(May I exchange business cards with you?)”
In high-end Ryokan (inns), staff will use this phrase for every action, from entering the room to pouring tea, to ensure the guest feels in control.
“お{茶|ちゃ}をお{入|い}れしてもよろしいですか。(May I pour you some tea?)”
Students in Japan rarely use 'ii desu ka' with professors. 'Yoroshii desu ka' is the baseline for showing respect to a sensei's expertise.
“{先生|せんせい}、ご{相談|そうだん}してもよろしいですか。(Professor, may I consult with you?)”
Even in crowded trains, if you need to move someone's bag to sit, using this phrase can prevent conflict in a society that avoids direct confrontation.
“すみません、こちらに{座|すわ}ってもよろしいですか。(Excuse me, may I sit here?)”
Inicios de conversación
At a networking event: '{連絡先|れんらくさき}を{交換|こうかん}してもよろしいですか。'
In a library: '{隣|となり}に{座|すわ}ってもよろしいですか。'
In an office: '{今|いま}、お{話|はな}ししてもよろしいですか。'
Errores comunes
〜てもいいですか (in a job interview)
〜てもよろしいですか
L1 Interference
〜るもよろしいですか
〜てもよろしいですか
L1 Interference
〜てもよろしいですか (to a younger sibling)
〜ていい？
L1 Interference
〜てもよろしいです (as a statement)
〜てもよろしいですよ
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
¿Me permite...?
Japanese uses the Te-form construction, while Spanish uses a direct object pronoun.
Puis-je...?
French 'Puis-je' is almost exclusively literary/ultra-formal, whereas 'yoroshii' is standard in business.
Darf ich...?
German doesn't have as many 'levels' of 'dürfen' as Japanese has for 'good/ii'.
我可以...吗? (Wǒ kěyǐ... ma?)
Japanese formality is built into the adjective 'yoroshii' itself.
~해도 될까요? (~haedo doelkkayo?)
The choice of honorific endings in Korean is even more complex than Japanese.
هل تسمح لي...؟ (Hal tasmahu li...?)
Arabic formality often involves religious or traditional honorific titles.
Poderia...?
Portuguese relies on verb tense rather than a specific 'formal' adjective.
Would it be acceptable if I...?
English uses a conditional clause, Japanese uses the Te-form + 'mo'.
Spotted in the Real World
“{資料|しりょう}を{拝見|はいけん}してもよろしいですか。”
Hanzawa asking to see bank documents during an audit.
“{隣|となり}に{失礼|しつれい}してもよろしいですか。”
Kyoya asking to sit next to a guest.
Fácil de confundir
Learners use it to give permission, but it sounds like a command or very cold.
To give permission, use '〜てもいいですよ' or 'どうぞ'.
Missing the 'mo' particle.
Always include 'mo' to mean 'even if'. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.
Preguntas frecuentes (4)
Yes, essentially. It is the formal version used in Keigo.
basic understandingYes, it is very appropriate for teachers and professors.
usage contexts'Kamaimasen ka' specifically asks if it's 'no problem' or 'not a bother,' while 'yoroshii desu ka' asks if it's 'good/appropriate.'
comparisonsUsually 'Hai, douzo' (Yes, please) or 'Hai, kamaimasen' (Yes, I don't mind).
practical tips
