Japanese Essentials: How to Ask Permission?

In our previous article, we have learnt how to ask permission to pay by credit card using the phrase でいいですか, following a noun. In this article we will learn how to ask for permission to do something but this time following a verb.
このぺん、借（か）りてもいいですか。
May I borrow this pen?

• 借（か）りる: to borrow
• ペン: pen
• この: this

借（か）りて is the te form of the verb 借（か）りる. “verb + てもいいですか” translates “is it okay if I do this?” or “can I do this?”
ジョン：すみません、このぺん、借（か）りてもいいですか。
受付の人：どうぞ。
John: Excuse-me, can I borrow this pen?
Receptionist: Yes.
Let’s remember the te-form of a few verbs with examples.

The last phrase is very convenient if you’re traveling around Japan and are not sure if you are allowed to do something. For example, if you enter a temple, you might want to ask if taking a picture or if touching something is okay.
ジョン：すみません、ここ、写真（しゃしん）を撮（と）ってもいいですか。
係員：はい、どうぞ。
ジョン：あと、これ、触（さわ）ってもいいですか。
係員：すみません、それはちょっと・・・
John: Excuse-me, can I take a picture here?
Staff: Yes, please do.
John: Also, can I touch this?
Staff: I’m sorry, but that’s not allowed.

• 触（さわ）る、触（さわ）って: to touch
• どうぞ: yes, please free to, please do
• それはちょっと・・・：literally means “it’s a bit difficult…” and translates in this context that something isn’t allowed.

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