Beginning Japanese for Professionals: Book 3

34 Grammar Notes 10-2-1 Expressing Permission Earlier, we learned that we can ask for permission by simply saying ‘ Ii desu ka?’ when it is clear from the context what we are asking permission for. For example, if someone raises her camera and says ‘ Ii desu ka?’, it’s clear that she wants permission to take pictures. If a stranger points to an empty seat next to you and says ‘ Ii desu ka?’, he is asking if he can sit there. However, when the context is not clear, we need to express ourselves more specifically. To ask for permission for a specific action, you use the ~ te form of the verb. Shashin totte ii desu ka . Is it okay if I take pictures? Or, Can I take pictures? It is common to add mo to the V ~ te form, which means ‘EVEN if you do V’. Shashin totte mo ii desu ka . Is it okay even if I take pictures? The other te -forms--/adjective- kute / and /noun de / --are also used in this pattern with or without / mo /. Takakute mo ii desu. It’s okay even if it’s expensive. Eigo de mo ii desu. It’s okay even if it’s English. or English is fine. 10-2-2 Enryo: The Virtue of Holding Back Enryo means hesitating out of politeness, which is one of the most highly valued virtues in Japan. When offered something, you are usually expected to do some enryo