Lesson 10: Polite Requests & Permission (て-form)

Understanding the て-Form Across Verb Groups

In Japanese, verbs are divided into three groups, and each group has its own way of forming the て-form. Mastering these patterns is crucial for making requests, asking permissions, and many other essential grammatical structures.

Group 1 (う-Verbs)

These verbs end in sounds like う, く, す, つ, む, ぶ, ぬ, ぐ, る (in dictionary form).
Replace the final syllable according to these rules:

Note:
行いく (to go) is an exception: 行いく → 行いって

Group 2 (る-Verbs)

Remove る and add て.
Example: 食たべる → 食たべて (eat)

Group 3 (Irregular Verbs)

Memorize these two irregular patterns:

• する → して (do)
• 来くる → 来きて (come)

Group 1 Examples

Group 2 Examples

Group 3 Examples

Learning Tip:
Group 1 patterns can be tricky at first. Try grouping verbs by their endings (う・つ・る, む・ぶ・ぬ, etc.) and practice converting each group systematically. Creating flashcards for each pattern can also help reinforce the rules.

Cultural Note:
The て-form is one of the most versatile grammatical forms in Japanese and serves as the foundation for many important structures. Mastering it will unlock numerous ways to express yourself naturally in Japanese.

Making Polite Requests with て-form + ください

One of the most important uses of the て-form is making polite requests. By adding ください ("please") after the て-form, you can politely ask someone to do something.

Basic Structure

Verb て-form + ください → "Please [do something]."

Examples of Polite Requests

When to Use

This pattern is appropriate in many situations:

• When asking for help from someone
• When giving instructions politely
• In service situations (restaurants, shops, etc.)
• In the workplace when speaking to colleagues or clients

Politeness Level

て-form + ください is considered polite and respectful, making it suitable for most social situations. It's more formal than casual request forms like て (just the て-form alone) or てくれる, which are used among friends.

Cultural Insight:
In Japanese culture, making requests politely is essential for maintaining good relationships. The て-form + ください structure is universally accepted as polite and appropriate in most contexts. In work environments or formal situations, this form shows proper respect while clearly communicating what you need.

Asking for Permission with て-form + もいいですか？

When you want to ask if you're allowed to do something, you can use the て-form followed by もいいですか？ This is a polite way to request permission before taking action.

Basic Structure

Verb て-form + もいいですか？
→ "May I [do something]?" / "Is it okay if I [do something]?"

Examples of Permission Requests

Responding to Permission Requests

When someone asks permission using this pattern, you can respond with:

はい、いいですよ。
Meaning: Yes, that's fine.
Example:
A: 写真しゃしんを撮とってもいいですか？
B: はい、いいですよ。

どうぞ。
Meaning: Please go ahead.
Example:
A: 窓まどを開あけてもいいですか？
B: どうぞ。

すみません、ちょっと...
Meaning: Sorry, but... (implied no)
Example:
A: ここに座すわってもいいですか？
B: すみません、ちょっと...

いいえ、だめです。
Meaning: No, you can't. (direct)
Example:
A: タバコを吸すってもいいですか？
B: いいえ、だめです。

Cultural Insight:
Asking permission before taking action shows consideration and respect in Japanese culture. This pattern shows that you recognize the other person's authority or rights in a situation. In casual contexts among friends, you might hear shortened forms like
〜ていい？ (Te ii?)
instead of the more formal
〜てもいいですか？ (Te mo ii desu ka?).

Expressing Prohibitions with て-form + はいけません

When you need to express that something is not allowed or prohibited, you can use the て-form followed by はいけません. This construction conveys a strong prohibition or rule.

Basic Structure

Verb て-form + はいけません → "You must not [do something]." / "It is not allowed to [do something]."

Examples of Prohibitions

When to Use

This pattern is appropriate for:

• Stating official rules or regulations
• Expressing strong prohibitions
• Warning someone not to do something dangerous
• Explaining cultural taboos

Variations

There are other ways to express prohibition with similar meanings:

~てはいけません
Nuance: Strong prohibition
Example:
ここで写真しゃしんを撮とってはいけません。

~てはだめです
Nuance: Strong prohibition (slightly more casual)
Example:
教室きょうしつで食たべてはだめです。

~といけません
Nuance: Warns of negative consequences
Example:
薬くすりを飲のまないといけません。
(You must take medicine.)

Cultural Insight:
In Japan, you'll often see signs with prohibitions written as
禁止きんし
(kinshi - prohibited)
followed by the action that's not allowed.
For example,
撮影禁止さつえいきんし
(satsuei kinshi)
means "photography prohibited" and
立入禁止たちいりきんし
(tachiiri kinshi)
means "entry prohibited."
The てはいけません pattern is the conversational equivalent of these written prohibitions.

Negative Requests with ないでください

When you want to politely ask someone not to do something, you can use the negative ない-form followed by でください. This is generally softer and more polite than the prohibition form.

Basic Structure

Verb ない-form + でください → "Please don't [do something]."

How to Form

1. Take the dictionary form of the verb
2. Change it to the negative form (ない form)
3. Add でください

話はなす (hanasu)
Negative Form:
話はなさない (hanasanai)
Negative Request:
話はなさないでください (hanasanaide kudasai)

開あける (akeru)
Negative Form:
開あけない (akenai)
Negative Request:
開あけないでください (akenaide kudasai)

する (suru)
Negative Form:
しない (shinai)
Negative Request:
しないでください (shinaide kudasai)

来くる (kuru)
Negative Form:
来こない (konai)
Negative Request:
来こないでください (konaide kudasai)

Examples of Negative Requests

Comparing Prohibitions and Negative Requests

Cultural Note:
Japanese communication often emphasizes politeness and consideration of others' feelings. The ないでください form allows you to make a negative request without sounding too harsh or commanding. It's particularly useful in service industries, teaching situations, or when speaking to someone you want to maintain a good relationship with.

Putting It All Together: Requests in Daily Life

Now that you've learned various patterns for making requests, asking permission, and expressing prohibitions, let's see how these are used in everyday Japanese conversations.

Common Situations and Expressions

At a Restaurant

In a Classroom or Office

When Visiting Someone's Home

Practice Dialogue: At a Museum

A: すみません、ここで写真しゃしんを撮とってもいいですか？
(Sumimasen, koko de shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?)
"Excuse me, may I take photos here?"

B: いいえ、美術館びじゅつかんの中なかでは写真しゃしんを撮とってはいけません。
外そとで撮とってください。
(Iie, bijutsukan no naka dewa shashin o totte wa ikemasen. Soto de totte kudasai.)
"No, you must not take photos inside the museum. Please take them outside."

A: わかりました。
荷物にもつをここに置おいてもいいですか？
(Wakarimashita. Nimotsu o koko ni oite mo ii desu ka?)
"I understand. May I leave my baggage here?"

B: はい、受付うけつけに荷物にもつを預あずけてください。
(Hai, uketsuke ni nimotsu o azukete kudasai.)
"Yes, please leave your baggage at the reception desk."

A: ありがとうございます。すみません、
水みずを飲のんでもいいですか？
(Arigatou gozaimasu. Sumimasen, mizu o nonde mo ii desu ka?)
"Thank you. Excuse me, may I drink water?"

B: はい、でも展示室てんじしつで
食たべないでください。
(Hai, demo tenjishitsu de tabenaide kudasai.)
"Yes, but please don't eat in the exhibition rooms."

Try practicing this dialogue with a partner, substituting different requests and responses!

Cultural Note:
In Japan, many public spaces have specific rules about what is and isn't allowed. Museums, temples, shrines, and other cultural sites often prohibit photography, eating, or speaking loudly. It's always a good idea to look for signs or ask staff if you're unsure about what's permitted. The phrases you've learned in this lesson will help you navigate these situations politely and appropriately.