犬を撫でてもいいですか？
inu o nadete mo ii desu ka?
The English phrase "can I pet your dog?" is translated into Japanese as 犬を撫でてもいいですか？ (inu o nadete mo ii desu ka?)
This phrase is a polite request used to ask a dog owner for permission to touch or stroke their dog.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the word 犬 (inu), meaning "dog" and the phrase 撫でてもいいですか？ (nadete mo ii desu ka?), which literally means "is it okay if I pet/stroke?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 撫でてもいいですか？ uses the te-form of the verb combined with もいいですか to express asking for permission.
How do you pronounce it?
inu o nadete mo ii desu ka?
When do people say it?
If you ask to pet someone's dog, the owner might respond with はい、どうぞ (yes, please/go ahead) or もちろん、どうぞ. If they wish to decline, they might say something like すみません、怖がりなんです to explain that the dog is easily frightened.
Did you know?
- If a dog is particularly small or cute, an owner might use the word わんちゃん (wan-chan) instead of 犬 (inu) to refer to their pet.
- The word 犬 (inu) is the root of the Japanese word 犬猿の仲 (ken-en no naka), which describes a relationship of extreme hatred, literally meaning 'the relationship of a dog and a monkey'.
- If you are talking to a dog, Japanese speakers often use the word いい子 (ii ko), meaning 'good child', instead of 'good boy' or 'good girl'.
Examples in context
- とても可愛いですね。犬を撫でてもいいですか？Totemo kawaii desu ne. Inu o nadetemo ii desu ka?It is very cute. Can I pet your dog?
Example conversation
Misaki approaches Hinata at a park where he is walking his dog.
- 美咲 Misakiすみません、犬を撫でてもいいですか？Sumimasen, inu o nadetemo ii desu ka?Excuse me, can I pet your dog?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、もちろんです。どうぞ。Hai, mochiron desu. Douzo.Yes, of course. Go ahead.
- 美咲 Misakiわあ、とても優しい子ですね。Waa, totemo yasashii ko desu ne.Wow, he is a very gentle boy.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます。彼は人懐っこいんですよ。Arigatou gozaimasu. Kare wa hitonatsukkoi n desu yo.Thank you. He is very friendly with people.
