What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into ここ (koko), meaning "here" and the grammatical structure 〜てもいいですか？ (~te mo ii desu ka?), which means "is it okay to…?"
Which one should you use?
While ここに座ってもいいですか？ is a standard polite way to ask, you can use more or less formal variations depending on the setting. ここ座っていい？ and ここ座ってもいい？ are informal ways to ask, whereas すみません、ここに座ってもよろしいですか？ is a more polite and formal version. For even higher levels of politeness suitable for business or formal settings, you can use こちらに座ってもよろしいでしょうか？, which uses こちら instead of ここ and the more formal よろしいでしょうか?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To speak informally with friends or peers, you can drop desu ka at the end, resulting in ここに座ってもいい？ For highly formal situations or business settings, use こちらに座ってもよろしいでしょうか? or すみません、ここに座ってもよろしいですか?
How does it change in a sentence?
The grammatical structure 〜てもいいですか？ (~te mo ii desu ka?) is used to ask for permission to perform an action.
How do you pronounce it?
Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka?
Did you know?
- In Japan, the 'correct' place to sit is often decided by social rank. In a traditional room, the seat furthest from the entrance, called 上座 (kamiza), is reserved for the most senior person.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of 'permission' in the phrase 〜てもいいですか？ is often less about following rules and more about checking if your presence causes 'meiwaku', or trouble, for the other person.
- The phrase 正座 (seiza) literally means 'correct sitting' and refers to the traditional formal posture of kneeling on the heels.
Examples in context
- すみません、ここに座ってもよろしいですか？Excuse me, may I sit here?
- はい、どうぞ。Yes, please go ahead.
- ここ座っていい？Can I sit here?
- もちろん、座って！Of course, go ahead and sit!
- 隣の、ここに座ってもいいですか？tonari no, koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka?Can I sit here, next to you?
- 窓側の、ここに座ってもいいですか？madogawa no, koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka?Can I sit here by the window?
Example conversation
A crowded cafe where Hiroto wants to take a seat.
- 大翔 Hirotoすみません、ここに座ってもいいですか？sumimasen, koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka?Excuse me, can I sit here?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、どうぞ。hai, douzo.Yes, please.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 美咲 Misakiいえいえ。ie ie.No problem.
