What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from toire (toilet), ni (to), itte (go) and mo ii desu ka (is it okay/may I).
Which one should you use?
While you might feel the urge to say トイレに行きたいです to express "I want to go to the toilet," you should use トイレに行ってもいいですか？ if you are specifically asking for permission.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
トイレに行ってもいいですか？ is a polite expression. For a more casual setting with friends or family, you can say トイレに行ってもいい？ by dropping the desu ka at the end. If you need to be much more formal or polite, use お手洗いに行ってもよろしいでしょうか？, which utilizes the more indirect otearai instead of toire.
How does it change in a sentence?
The construction ~te mo ii desu ka is the standard grammatical way to ask for permission in Japanese.
How do you pronounce it?
toire ni ittemo ii desu ka?
When do people say it?
Otearai is a more polite and indirect way to refer to the bathroom than toire.
Did you know?
- In very formal settings, Japanese speakers may avoid the phrase entirely and simply say chotto shitsurei shimasu which means 'I am going to commit a small rudeness'.
- Japanese public restrooms often feature a 'washlet' or electronic bidet, a technology so common that the brand name 'Washlet' is often used interchangeably with the word for toilet.
- The polite term otearai literally translates to 'hand-washing place' rather than 'toilet'.
Examples in context
- すみません、トイレに行ってもいいですか？Sumimasen, toire ni itte mo ii desu ka?Excuse me, may I go to the bathroom?
- 先生、トイレに行ってもいいですか？Sensei, toire ni itte mo ii desu ka?Teacher, may I go to the bathroom?
- 少し、トイレに行ってもいいですか？Sukoshi, toire ni itte mo ii desu ka?May I go to the bathroom for a moment?
Example conversation
At a cafe, Kenta asks Himari for permission to step away.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さん、トイレに行ってもいいですか？Himari-san, toire ni itte mo ii desu ka?Himari, may I go to the bathroom?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、いいですよ。Hai, ii desu yo.Yes, you may.
- 健太 Kentaすぐ戻ります。Sugu modorimasu.I will be back soon.
- 陽葵 Himariわかりました。Wakarimashita.I understand.
