To ask “May I take a photo?” in Japanese, say 写真を撮ってもいいですか. The pattern is verb in the te-form + もいいですか. It asks whether you have permission to do something. This guide shows how to ask about photos, seats and drinks, then understand the reply.
1. Ask permission with てもいいですか
The question means “Is it OK if I do this?” Before taking a photo inside a shop, for example, ask a member of staff:
すみません、写真を撮ってもいいですか。
すみません、しゃしんを とっても いいですか。
Sumimasen, shashin o totte mo ii desu ka.
Excuse me, may I take a photo?
すみません helps you get someone’s attention politely. For more ways to start an exchange or check what someone said, see our 15 everyday Japanese phrases with examples.
2. Start with four useful te-forms
The te-form is a form of a verb whose ending can be て or で. You do not need to memorise every verb change at once. Begin with these four:
- 撮る（とる, take a photo）→ 撮って（とって）→ 撮ってもいいですか。
- 座る（すわる, sit down）→ 座って（すわって）→ 座ってもいいですか。
- 飲む（のむ, drink）→ 飲んで（のんで）→ 飲んでもいいですか。
- 使う（つかう, use）→ 使って（つかって）→ 使ってもいいですか。
Do not attach もいいですか directly to the polite ます-form: 撮りますもいいですか is incorrect. Change the verb to 撮って first. When the te-form ends in で, keep that ending: 飲んで becomes 飲んでもいいですか.
3. Three questions for everyday travel
Before sitting down: ここに座ってもいいですか。
Reading: ここに すわっても いいですか。
May I sit here?
Use this when checking with someone whether you may take a seat beside them. Wait for their answer before sitting down.
Checking a rule: ここで飲んでもいいですか。
Reading: ここで のんでも いいですか。
May I have a drink here?
The first で, after ここ, marks where the action happens. The で in 飲んで belongs to the verb form. These do different jobs; start by practising the complete sentence rather than trying to learn every use of で at once.
Borrowing an item: このペンを使ってもいいですか。
Reading: このペンを つかっても いいですか。
May I use this pen?
Naming the item is clearer than asking only いいですか. Respect signs and house rules as well: if photography is clearly prohibited, this phrase is not a way to insist on an exception.
4. How is it different from てください?
写真を撮ってもいいですか。 asks “May I take a photo?” You want permission to do the action. 写真を撮ってください。 means “Please take a photo.” You are asking the other person to do it. The verb form 撮って is the same, but the ending changes the purpose of the sentence.
てもいいですか is an everyday polite question. In more formal situations, you may hear てもよろしいですか. Among friends, the shorter てもいい？ is common.
5. Listen for permission or a refusal
- はい、どうぞ。 = Yes, go ahead.
- すみません、ここでは写真は撮れません。
すみません、ここでは しゃしんは とれません。
Sorry, photography is not allowed here.
Do not stop listening at すみません. It can introduce a refusal, so listen to the explanation that follows. If staff say you cannot do something, you can reply 分かりました。ありがとうございます。（わかりました。ありがとうございます。）: “Understood. Thank you.”
A short conversation in a shop
Customer: すみません、写真を撮ってもいいですか。
Excuse me, may I take a photo?Staff: はい、どうぞ。
Yes, go ahead.Customer: ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
6. Check your understanding
- Choose the correct form: 写真を（撮ります／撮って）もいいですか。
- Using 座って, ask “May I sit here?”
- Using 飲んで, ask “May I have a drink here?”
- Which asks the other person to take a photo? A: 写真を撮ってもいいですか。 B: 写真を撮ってください。
Show answers and explanations
- 撮って. Use the te-form, not the ます-form.
- ここに座ってもいいですか。（ここに すわっても いいですか。）に marks the spot where you want to sit.
- ここで飲んでもいいですか。（ここで のんでも いいですか。）で marks where the drinking takes place.
- B. てください asks the other person to act; A asks permission to take the photo yourself.
Try a question you might actually need
Choose 座ってもいいですか or 使ってもいいですか, and imagine who you are asking. Practise both an accepting and a declining reply. Asking clearly is only the first step: wait for permission, too.
Read next: everyday Japanese phrases for starting and checking conversations, then how ni and de work with places.
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For guided speaking practice, explore our online Japanese courses with English support.
