もらってもいい？
moratte mo ii?
The English phrase "can I have it?" is translated into Japanese as もらってもいい？ (moratte mo ii?)
This phrase is a request used when you are asking for permission to take an object or to receive a physical item from someone.
Which one should you use?
While もらってもいい？ asks for permission to receive something, the phrase ちょうだい is a more direct request for someone to give it to you.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form もらってもいい？ is informal and should be used with friends, family or people of equal or lower status. For a more formal and straightforward way to ask for something, you can use それをください.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the request polite and suitable for strangers or superiors, you can add ですか to the end to form もらってもいいですか？
How do you pronounce it?
moratte mo ii?
Did you know?
- The word ちょうだい is a corruption of the polite imperative ちょうだいなさい, meaning 'please give'. Over time it shifted from a formal command to a childish or cute request.
- Japanese has a distinct 'giving and receiving' vocabulary where the verb for 'have' changes depending on whether the item is moving toward the speaker or away from them.
- If you are asking for permission to take a photo rather than a physical object, you would not use もらってもいい？ Instead, Japanese speakers use the verb とる (to take) to say 撮ってもいい？, changing the entire verb structure.
Examples in context
- これ、もらってもいい？Kore, morattemo ii?Can I have this?
- そのペン、もらってもいい？Sono pen, morattemo ii?Can I have that pen?
- 残ったケーキ、もらってもいい？Nokotta kēki, morattemo ii?Can I have the leftover cake?
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are at home, looking at a gift.
- 陽太 Yotaこのお菓子、もらってもいい？Kono okashi, morattemo ii?Can I have this snack?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、もちろんいいよ。Un, mochiron ii yo.Yeah, of course you can.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう、結衣！Arigatō, Yui!Thanks, Yui!
- 結衣 Yuiどういたしまして。Dōitashimashite.You're welcome.
