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19. Permission & Obligation
Table of Contents
- Verb Te-form + もいいです
- Verb Te-form + もいいですか?
- Verb Nai-form + くてもいいです
- Verb Nai-form + くてもいいですか?
- Verb Nai-form + ければいけません
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Check the brief grammar notes and examples below for your review.

Grammar Note
⚫️ Verb Te-form もいいです
meaning : can do
This is an expression used to give someone permission.
koko [de] tabete-moīdesu [yo].
( You can eat here. )
⚫️ Verb Te-form もいいですか?
meaning : Can I … ? / May I … ?
It is used to ask for permission.
koko [ni] suwatte-moīdesuka?
( May I sit here? )
If your answer is “yes”, “はい、どうぞ” is more preferable than “はい、Verbてもいいです”.
koko [ni] suwatte-moīdesuka?
( May I sit here? )
B : はい、どうぞ。すわってください。
hai, dōzo. suwatte-kudasai.
( Sure, go ahead. )
If the answer is “no”, you can answer like this example sentence.
koko [ni] suwatte-moīdesuka?
( May I sit here? )
B : すみません、あとから ともだちが くるんです …
sumimasen, ato-kara tomodachi [ga] kuru-ndesu …
( I’m sorry my friend is coming later, so … )
⚫️ Verb Nai-form くてもいいです
It means it’s not necessary.
kono kasa [o] tsukatte-kudasai. kaesana-kutemoīdesu [yo].
( You can use this umbrella. You don’t have to give it back. )
⚫️ Verb Nai-form くてもいいですか?
meaning : Is it OK if I don’t do … ?
t is used when you ask if there is any problem even if I don’t do.
watashi [wa] kaigi [ni] dena-kutemoīdesuka?
( Is it no problem even if I don’t attend the meeting? )
⚫️ Verb Nai-form ければいけません
meaning : You have to do …
It means it’s necessary to do.
shukudai [o] shina-kereba-ikemasen.
( I have to do my homework. )

Let’s say it in Japanese !
Let’s practice speaking!
Look at the English sentences and try to say them in Japanese. Click “answer” to check the correct sentence and practice with the audio.
- You can touch this painting.
( え : painting )
- Can I go inside?
- Please write your name here. You don’t have to write your address.
- Students have to study.
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