試着してもいいですか？
shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?
The Japanese phrase for "can I try this on?" is 試着してもいいですか？ (shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?)
This phrase is used to request permission to wear a piece of clothing in a store to check the fit. You can naturally specify the item you are holding or pointing to by adding これ (this) to the beginning, resulting in これ、試着してもいいですか？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard form is 試着してもいいですか？ For a more informal setting, you can say これ試着してもいい？ If you are in a high-end boutique and wish to be much more formal and polite, you should use 試着してもよろしいでしょうか？ or これを試着してもいいでしょうか？
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase utilizes the ~te mo ii desu ka construction, which is the standard grammatical way to ask for permission to perform an action.
How do you pronounce it?
shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?
Did you know?
- The verb 着る (kiru), which is the root of 'to wear', is specifically used for clothes worn on the upper body, whereas different verbs are required for shoes or headwear.
- If you try something on and decide not to buy it, it is common practice in Japan to carefully fold the item back to its original state before returning it to the clerk.
- In some traditional Japanese clothing stores, you may find a 試着室 (fitting room) that is essentially a curtained-off corner rather than a locked door, reflecting a cultural emphasis on trust and modesty.
Examples in context
- このドレス、お試しできますか？Can I try this dress on?
- お姉ちゃん、これ試着してもいい？Hey sis, can I try this on?
- これを試着してもいいですか？kore o shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?Can I try this on?
- あちらで試着してもいいですか？achira de shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?Can I try this on over there?
- このジャケット、試着してもいいですか？kono jaketto, shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?Can I try on this jacket?
Example conversation
Ren is shopping for a jacket with Himeki.
- 蓮 Renこのジャケット、いいな。試着してもいいですか？Kono jaketto, ii na. Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?This jacket is nice. Can I try it on?
- 陽葵 Himariいいですよ。あっちに試着室があります。Ii desu yo. Atchi ni shichakushitsu ga arimasu.Sure. The fitting rooms are over there.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。すぐ戻りますね。Arigatou gozaimasu. Sugu modorimasu ne.Thank you. I'll be right back.
- 陽葵 Himariはい、ゆっくり見てください。Hai, yukkuri mite kudasai.Okay, take your time.
