What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Is English also good/okay?", where demo implies "even with" or "also".
Which one should you use?
While 英語でもいいですか？ is a standard polite question, you can adjust the level of formality. Use 英語でいい？ for an informal "Is English fine?", or use 英語でもよろしいでしょうか？ to ask "Would English be acceptable?" in a much more formal and polite manner.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For casual situations with friends or peers, you can use the informal 英語でもいい？ by dropping desu ka. For business settings or when speaking to strangers, the polite 英語でもよろしいでしょうか？ or the formal 英語で申し上げてもよろしいですか？ are more appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn this question into a statement of affirmation, such as "English is okay", you can remove the question particle ka at the end to get 英語でもいいです.
How do you pronounce it?
eigo demo ii desu ka?
When do people say it?
If you ask this question, a common natural response you might hear is はい、大丈夫です (Yes, it is fine).
Did you know?
- While 英語 (eigo) means 'English', the character 英 (ei) actually means 'excellent' or 'superior'. This originates from the ancient Chinese name for England, 英吉利, which sounded like 'England' but used characters meaning 'excellent' and 'profit'.
- If you ask 英語でもいいですか？ and the person responds with すみません (sumimasen), they are likely apologizing for not being able to speak English. In this context, the word for 'excuse me' functions as a polite 'no'.
- In Japan, asking 英語でもいいですか？ is often accompanied by a slight tilt of the head or a small bow to signal modesty and a request for a favor.
Examples in context
- 英語でもいいですか？Eigo demo ii desu ka?Is English okay?
- 説明は英語でもいいですか？Setsumei wa eigo demo ii desu ka?Is it okay if the explanation is in English?
- メールは英語でもいいですか？Meeru wa eigo demo ii desu ka?Is it okay if the email is in English?
Example conversation
Misaki is asking Kenta if she can use English during a presentation.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、プレゼンは英語でもいいですか？Kenta-san, purezen wa eigo demo ii desu ka?Kenta, is it okay if the presentation is in English?
- 健太 Kentaはい、英語でも大丈夫ですよ。Hai, eigo demo daijoubu desu yo.Yes, English is fine.
- 美咲 Misakiよかったです。ありがとうございます。Yokatta desu. Arigatou gozaimasu.I'm glad. Thank you very much.
- 健太 Kentaいえいえ、気にしないでください。Iie ie, ki ni shinaide kudasai.No problem, please don't worry about it.
