What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 見てもいいですか is composed of the te-form of the verb miru (to see), the particle mo (even/also), ii (good) and desu ka (is it/question marker). Literally, it means "Is it okay even if I see?"
Which one should you use?
While 見てもいいですか asks for permission to look, the phrase 見せてください is a request for someone to show you something. Additionally, 見せてもらってもいい？ can be used informally to mean both "Can I see" and "Can you show me".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default 見てもいいですか is a polite form suitable for use with strangers, shop staff or superiors. For very formal situations, you can use 拝見してもよろしいでしょうか？ In informal settings, such as with friends or family, you can use 見てもいい？
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the ~te mo ii construction, which is the standard grammatical way to express permission in Japanese.
How do you pronounce it?
mite mo ii desu ka
When do people say it?
If you ask to see something, a common way for a person to grant permission is to say はい、いいですよ (Yes, it's fine). If someone wishes to politely decline your request, they will often start their response with すみませんが… (I'm sorry, but…).
Did you know?
- In high-level formal Japanese, the word 拝見 (haiken) contains the character for 'bow', suggesting that the act of looking is like bowing to the object or owner.
- Japanese culture often prioritizes the 'atmosphere' over direct words, so a person might say いいですよ (it's fine) while subtly shaking their head or hesitating to signal they are actually reluctant.
- When asking to see something, a Japanese person might avoid the phrase 見てもいいですか and instead say ちょっといいですか, which literally means 'Is a little bit okay?'
Examples in context
- お正月のお神酒を拝見してもよろしいでしょうか？May I see the sacred sake for the New Year?
- この写真、見てもいい？Can I see this photo?
- その映画、見せてもらってもいい？Can you show me that movie?
- そのメニューを見てもいいですか？Sono menyū o mite mo ii desu ka?Can I see that menu?
- 中を見てもいいですか？Naka o mite mo ii desu ka?Can I see inside?
- 資料を見てもいいですか？Shiryō o mite mo ii desu ka?Can I see the documents?
Example conversation
Yui is at a boutique and wants to look at a bag Ren is holding.
- 結衣 Yuiそのバッグを見てもいいですか？Sono baggu o mite mo ii desu ka?Can I see that bag?
- 蓮 Renはい、どうぞ。Hai, dōzo.Yes, go ahead.
- 結衣 Yuiとても素敵ですね。Totemo suteki desu ne.It is very lovely.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you.
