Help with "iidesuka" and "mo"

TheYeti · 5 Oct 2009

I have been studying Japanese for a couple of weeks now and there is something that I don't understand. In the sentence "Rokka e itte mo iidesuka." the last thing is "iidesuka". Now I know that "ii" means good, "desu" is the verb to be, and "ka" is a question marker. But I can't figure out why it is in that sentence, from what I've seen, I assume that you use "iidesuka" when you're asking someone if you can do something. Am I right about this? And also, is "mo" being used as a particle in the sentence? Because if it is, then I don't understand why because you're not using it for emphasis or as "too".
Thank you in advanced for your help.

Toritoribe · 5 Oct 2009

Right. Your understanding regarding "ii desu ka" is correct. Plus, the structure "-te form of a verb" + "mo ii (desu)" expresses "permission to do something." Thus, "~te mo ii desu ka" is used when asking permission to do something; "May I do something ?" or "Do you mind if I do something ?"

Rokka e itte mo iidesuka?
May I go to Rokka?/Do you mind if I go to Rokka?

BTW, does "rokka" mean "rokka-; locker room" or "dokka; somewhere"?

TheYeti · 5 Oct 2009

I just meant "rokka" as in your school locker. Also, Thank you for your help.

Toritoribe · 5 Oct 2009

I see.
In addition, as for the function of the particle "mo" here, "itte mo ii desu ka" sounds as if there is another choice beside "to go to the locker" from the meaning as "too." Therefore it could sound softer than "itte ii desu ka." Generally, "~te mo ii desu ka" is more commonly used than "~te ii desu ka."

Elizabeth · 5 Oct 2009

"~te ii desu (yo)" has the sense of permission but could also be implied as urging the speaker to do or act on the event.

"~te mo ii desu" is also permission, but with the added connotation sometimes arising of actually inviting or welcoming (I don't mind) some particular behavior.

TheYeti · 5 Oct 2009

After doing some research, I found that "mo" can take the place of "wa", "ga", and "o". Would it be correct if I used "-te wa iidesuka", "-te ga iidesuka", or "-te o iidesuka" instead of "-te mo ii desuka"?

Toritoribe · 5 Oct 2009

No. You can't use the particles "wa", "ga", "wo" instead of "mo" in the stracture "~te mo ii". "Wa" can be used in "~te wa ikenai/ikemasen" for "forbiddance," but the meaning is changed from "~te mo ikenai/ikemasen; you can't/shouldn't do something either."

I recommend to learn the basics of particles.
The major particles - Tae Kim's Japanese grammar guide
Verb-related particles - Tae Kim's Japanese grammar guide

TheYeti · 5 Oct 2009

I see, thank you everyone for your help, I appreciate it.

Laughing Larry · 8 Oct 2009

is theere any difference between the following two sentences?

"menyuu o misete mo yorosii desu ka?"

"menyuu o misete mo ii desu ka?"

"~te mo ii desu ka" and "~te mo yoroii desu ka" ??

thanks

Toritoribe · 8 Oct 2009

Laughing Larry said:
is theere any difference between the following two sentences?
"menyuu o misete mo yorosii desu ka?"
"menyuu o misete mo ii desu ka?"
"~te mo ii desu ka" and "~te mo yoroii desu ka" ??
thanks

The only difference between the two expressions is the degree of politeness. "Yoroshii" is a polite word of "ii."

Toritoribe · 9 Oct 2009

Just for clarification
Do you intend to say that sentence to customers as a waiter? If so, it doesn't fit the context. "Menyuu o misete mo yoroshii/ii desu ka?" sounds like as if you ask your boss "May I show the menu to someone ?" メニューをお持ちしましょうか？[Menyuu o omochi shimashou ka?] is more appropriate for "Would you like a menu?"

Elizabeth · 9 Oct 2009

The normal script is more こちらがメニューです。Here's the menu.

*ご注文をいただけますか？Are you ready to order ?* :hungry:

Laughing Larry · 9 Oct 2009

how about: "menyuu ha yorosii desu ka?" ??

thanks

Elizabeth said:
The normal script is more こちらがメニューです。Here's the menu.

*ご注文をいただけますか？Are you ready to order ?* :hungry:

I'm sorry I don't have a great grasp on hiragana nor katakana yet :?

Laughing Larry · 9 Oct 2009

"kochira ga menyuu desu" and...

Elizabeth · 9 Oct 2009

Laughing Larry said:
how about: "menyuu ha yorosii desu ka?" ??
thanks

Maybe you should start out translation from the English side. Menyuu ha ii/yoroshii desu/deshouka? means "Is it a good menu" ? :?

Laughing Larry · 9 Oct 2009

well...yeah, I shoud start out defenitely!

Can you help me with this?

ご注文をいただけますか

I guess 注文を is /order/ yet how can I turn it into romaji?

thanks

Elizabeth · 9 Oct 2009

Laughing Larry said:
well...yeah, I shoud start out defenitely!

Can you help me with this?

ご注文をいただけますか

I guess 注文を is /order/ yet how can I turn it into romaji?

thanks

I think it's strange anyway. I read it someplace, but it sounds more like something a customer would say. :sorry:

Probably for "are you ready to order" the standard ご注文（は）お決まりでしょうか go chuumon (wa) okimari deshouka?

お決まりですか？okimari desuka?

ご注文なさいますか。Go chuumon nasaimasuka? etc. are better.

Toritoribe · 9 Oct 2009

Probably one of the most natural way

いらっしゃいませ。[Irasshaimase.]
(with serving a glass of water)

メニューでございます。[Menyuu de gozaimasu.]
Here's the menu.(with serving a menu)

お決まりでしょうか？/お決まりですか？[Okimari deshou ka?/Okimari desu ka?]
Are you ready to order?

Elizabeth · 9 Oct 2009

Toritoribe said:
Probably one of the most natural way

いらっしゃいませ。[Irasshaimase.]
(with serving a glass of water)

メニューでございます。[Menyuu de gozaimasu.]
Here's the menu.(with serving a menu)

お決まりでしょうか？/お決まりですか？[Okimari deshou ka?/Okimari desu ka?]
Are you ready to order?

ありがとうございます！
日本で、いつも私の言い方でお客さんへの失礼を謝罪するように言われるでしょう。

Laughing Larry · 9 Oct 2009

Toritoribe said:
Probably one of the most natural way

いらっしゃいませ。[Irasshaimase.]
(with serving a glass of water)

メニューでございます。[Menyuu de gozaimasu.]
Here's the menu.(with serving a menu)

お決まりでしょうか？/お決まりですか？[Okimari deshou ka?/Okimari desu ka?]
Are you ready to order?

I totally love them

Elizabeth · 9 Oct 2009

Toritoribe said:
Probably one of the most natural way

メニューでございます。[Menyuu de gozaimasu.]
Here's the menu.(with serving a menu)

Or, メニューをお持ち致しました。??

And, oh, what I've been missing at those conbinis or stand up noodle joints ! :?

Laughing Larry · 12 Oct 2009

Also, sometimes I'd like to ask people if I can actually speak japanese with them...can I say the following?

"can I speak Japanese to you?"

"watashi wa nihongo wo hanashite mo yoroshii desu ka?"

thanks

Toritoribe · 12 Oct 2009

Laughing Larry said:
Also, sometimes I'd like to ask people if I can actually speak japanese with them...can I say the following?
"can I speak Japanese to you?"
"watashi wa nihongo wo hanashite mo yoroshii desu ka?"
thanks

You don't need to say "watashi wa".

日本語で話してもよろしいですか？[Nihongo de hanashite mo yoroshii desu ka?]
Can I speak to you in Japanese?

Laughing Larry · 22 Oct 2009

Toritoribe said:
Just for clarification
Do you intend to say that sentence to customers as a waiter? If so, it doesn't fit the context. "Menyuu o misete mo yoroshii/ii desu ka?" sounds like as if you ask your boss "May I show the menu to someone ?" メニューをお持ちしましょうか？[Menyuu o omochi shimashou ka?] is more appropriate for "Would you like a menu?"

Ok, so how could I say: /may I take a picture?/

写真を取ってもいいですか
shashin wo tottemo ii desu ka? is that right??

thanks

undrentide · 22 Oct 2009

Laughing Larry said:
Ok, so how could I say: /may I take a picture?/

写真を取ってもいいですか
shashin wo tottemo ii desu ka? is that right??

thanks

Yes, it is correct.
By the way "toru" in kanji for photos is 撮る not 取る.

Help with "iidesuka" and "mo"

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