写真を撮ってもいいですか？
shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?
To ask can I take your picture? In Japanese, say 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?).
What does it mean word for word?
写真 (shashin) means photograph, and 撮ってもいいですか？ (totte mo ii desu ka?) means is it okay if I take it.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This is polite and suits strangers. With friends, drop the polite ending and say 写真を撮ってもいい？ (shashin o totte mo ii?).
How does it change in a sentence?
A verb in its form ending in て, followed by もいいですか？, asks for permission to do something.
How do you pronounce it?
It is read shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?
When do people say it?
A yes is often いいですよ (ii desu yo), meaning sure. A refusal might be すみません、ダメです (sumimasen, dame desu).
Did you know?
- While the word 写真 ('shashin') means 'photograph', its literal meaning in Japanese is 'copying the truth'.
- In Japan, people often say はい, チーズ! ('hai, chīzu!') before a photo, but you may also hear はい, パシャ! ('hai, pasha!'), which mimics the sound of a camera shutter.
- In Japanese, the verb 撮る ('totte') is specifically used for taking photos or filming, while a different verb, 取る ('toru'), is used for taking or grabbing a physical object.
Examples in context
- 写真を撮ってもいいですか？Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?Can I take a picture?
Example conversation
Kenta asks Yui for permission to take her photo at a park.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さん、写真を撮ってもいいですか？Yui-san, shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?Yui, can I take your picture?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、いいですよ。Hai, ii desu yo.Yes, that's fine.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 結衣 Yuiどういたしまして。Dou itashimashite.You're welcome.
