～てもいい
It is alright/fine/okay even if, Can/may, ~ is also okay
Structure
［な］Adjective + でも + いい
Noun + でも + いい
Explanation
The structure Noun, い-Adjective, or な-Adjective + てもいい is used to express that a certain condition is acceptable, or 'okay'. It is also very commonly used to ask for permission, translating to 'is it okay if...?' or 'may I...?'.
- 水でもいい。Water is fine. (I don't need juice or soda)
- 本が古くてもいい？Is it okay if the book is old? (Or do you need a new copy?)
- 歌が下手でもいい。It's fine even if you're bad at singing. (We're just having fun)
As shown in the examples, い-Adjectives must be changed to their く-form. This is done by dropping the final い and adding く.
This grammar pattern is often heard without the も particle (ていい). This omission makes the phrase feel more direct and is typically only used in casual situations with people you are close to.
てもいい is a phrase that can be literally understood as て (the state of being) も (even/also) いい (is good).
Much like the verb-based てもいい grammar, this form can also be turned into a question. You can accomplish this by adding ですか for a polite question, or just の for a casual one.
- パンでもいいですか？Would bread be alright? (Instead of rice)
- このテレビ見てもいいの？Is it okay to watch this TV? (Or are you watching something else?)
Examples
古くてもいい。
It is fine (even) if it's old.
どこでもいいです。
Anywhere is fine.
いつでもいい。
Anytime is fine.
土曜日でもいいですか。
Is it fine (even) if it is (on) Saturday?
辛くてもいい。
It is fine (even) if it is spicy.
雨でもいいでしょう。
It is fine (even) if it rains, don't you think?
遅くてもいいんです。
It is fine (even) if it's late.
テニスが下手でもいい。
It is fine (even) if you are bad at tennis.
難しくてもいい。
It is fine even if it is difficult.
中古でもいいですから、買います。
It is fine (even) if it is used, so I will buy it.
こっちでもいい。
It is fine (even) if it's this one.
コンビニのパンでもいい。
It is fine (even) if it's bread from the convenience store.