キスしてもいい？
kisu shite mo ii?
The English phrase "can I kiss you" is translated into Japanese as キスしてもいい？ (kisu shite mo ii?)
This phrase is used in intimate settings to ask for consent before a kiss.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kisu (kiss), shite (the te-form of to do) and mo ii (is also good or is okay), which literally translates to "Is it okay even if I do a kiss?"
Which one should you use?
While キスしてもいい？ is a request for permission, the phrase キスして means "Kiss me" and functions as a direct request or command to perform the action.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding ですか to the end of the phrase to form キスしてもいいですか？ makes the request polite and suitable for a more formal or respectful context.
How do you pronounce it?
kisu shite mo ii?
Did you know?
- The word キス is a loanword from English, but the traditional Japanese word for kiss is 接吻 (seppun). This older term is rarely used in conversation today because it sounds clinical or overly literary.
- While キスしてもいい？ is common, Japanese people often use the word チュー (chuu) instead of キス for a cute, more playful, or much lighter kiss. This sounds more like the 'mwah' sound in English.
- There is a specific term called 寸止め (sun-dome) used in some contexts to describe the act of stopping just before the lips touch, a common trope in Japanese romantic dramas to build tension.
Examples in context
- キスしてもいい？kisu shite mo ii?Can I kiss you?
- 今、キスしてもいい？ima, kisu shite mo ii?Can I kiss you now?
- ちょっとキスしてもいい？chotto kisu shite mo ii?Can I kiss you for a second?
Example conversation
A quiet park at night during a date.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、キスしてもいい？Hiroto-kun, kisu shite mo ii?Hiroto, can I kiss you?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、もちろんだよ。un, mochiron da yo.Yes, of course.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう。arigatou.Thank you.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣ちゃん、すごく可愛いよ。Yui-chan, sugoku kawaii yo.Yui, you are so cute.
