Making requests

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Dante17

先輩

3 Dec 2013

185

1

• 11 Jan 2014

• #1

Hey all. Just back to get some clarification on something.

In my workbook it wants me to ask " may I enter the room? " in japanese. So, I answered with:

" heya wa haitte moii desu ka? "

Is this correct? I only ask because it seems that my book is saying that an additional 'te' should go before 'moii desu ka' which would make my sentence look like

" heya wa haitte temoii desu ka? "

Is my first answer wrong or am I just misreading my book again? >_<

Thank you

 

letslearn

先輩

11 Sep 2013

890

14

• 11 Jan 2014

• #2

Pretty sure it is just te form + mo ii
Just like tabete mo ii desu ka .... May I eat
So your first answer is the right grammar.

 

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Dante17

先輩

3 Dec 2013

185

1

• 11 Jan 2014

• Thread starter
• #3

Awesome! Thanks for the speedy response!

 

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

Moderator

Fifteen-year veteran

22 Feb 2008

18,266

4,926

• 11 Jan 2014

• #4

The particle "ni" is used for the location where you enter, thus, "Heya ni haitte mo ii desu ka?" is the answer. "Heya wa haitte mo ii desu ka?" is not incorrect, but it doesn't just mean "May I enter the room?" It's used in a situation, for instance, you are not allowed to enter the garden, and ask "How about the room?". (This "wa" is often called "contrastive marker".)

 

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Dante17

先輩

3 Dec 2013

185

1

• 11 Jan 2014

• Thread starter
• #5

Ah, I see. Since ni indicates the goal of movement it should be used? Got it