Asking first asking advice
Conversation phrases, Stage 2chunk 31 of 71Asking and following up
Opens a question, checks it's okay, or asks for advice.
- kiite mo ii?can I ask you something?
- dou shitara ii?what should I do?
- ii no?are you sure?; is it really okay?
Mix-ups ii no? checks it's really okay; ii yo is the reply 'it's fine'.
kiite mo ii?
polite kiite mo ii desu ka
can I ask you something?
Lead-in before a personal or awkward question.
Very polite version: ukagatte mo yoroshii desu ka.
chotto kiite mo ii? kanojo iru?
Can I ask you something? Do you have a girlfriend?
ちょっと聞いてもいい？彼女いる？
hitotsu kiite mo ii desu ka?
Can I ask you one thing?
一つ聞いてもいいですか？
Written 聞いてもいい？ · きいてもいい · 聞いてもいいですかWho you say itHeard 228× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
dou shitara ii?
polite dou shitara ii desu ka
what should I do?
Asks someone for advice when you're stuck or don't know the next step.
Dou sureba ii? means the same.
kagi nakushichatta. dou shitara ii?
I lost my keys. What should I do?
鍵なくしちゃった。どうしたらいい？
kagi o nakushite shimatta n desu ga, dou shitara ii desu ka?
I've lost my key. What should I do?
鍵をなくしてしまったんですが、どうしたらいいですか？
Written どうしたらいい？ · どうしたらいい · どうしたらいいですかWho you say it and hear itHeard 999× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
ii no?
polite ii n desu ka
are you sure?; is it really okay?
Checks that someone means it when they offer you something or do you a favour; follow with thanks.
Also asks permission after a -te verb: kore tabete ii no? (can I eat this?).
e, ogori? ii no?
Wait, your treat? Are you sure?
え、おごり？いいの？
e, ii n desu ka? arigatou gozaimasu.
Oh, are you sure? Thank you.
え、いいんですか？ありがとうございます。
Written いいの？ · いいの · いいんですかWho you say it and hear itHeard 956× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles