ちょっと聞いていい？
chotto kiite ii?
The English phrase "can I ask you something?" is translated into Japanese as ちょっと聞いていい？ (chotto kiite ii?)
This phrase is used as a conversational opener to signal that you are about to transition to a new topic or ask a personal question.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "Is it okay if I ask/listen a little?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form ちょっと聞いていい？ is informal and should be used with friends, family or peers. For a more polite version to use with strangers or superiors, use ちょっと伺ってもいいですか？
How do you pronounce it?
chotto kiite ii?
Did you know?
- If a Japanese speaker replies ちょっと… ('a little…') to this question, they are likely politely declining to answer rather than saying they have a little time.
- If you use the polite version 伺ってもいいですか？, you are using a humble form of the verb. This specifically lowers your own status to show respect to the listener, a concept known as 'kenjougo'.
- The word ちょっと (chotto) often functions as a 'buffer' in Japanese conversation. Even if you are about to ask something very serious, adding it can help soften the impact of your intrusion.
Examples in context
- ちょっと聞いていい？chotto kiite ii?Can I ask you something?
- いいかな？ちょっと聞いていい？ii kana? chotto kiite ii?Is it okay? Can I ask you something?
Example conversation
Yui approaches Kenta at his desk to ask a question.
- 結衣 Yui健太くん、ちょっと聞いていい？Kenta-kun, chotto kiite ii?Kenta, can I ask you something?
- 健太 Kentaいいよ、どうしたの？ii yo, doushita no?Sure, what's up?
- 結衣 Yui明日の会議の資料、どこにあるかな？ashita no kaigi no shiryou, doko ni aru kana?I wonder where the documents for tomorrow's meeting are?
- 健太 Kentaあ、机の上に置いてあるよ。a, tsukue no ue ni oite aru yo.Ah, they are on the desk.
