Grammar › N2 · 13 Obligation and permission

〜てもかまわない: it doesn't matter if; may

N2 · 13 Obligation and permission

Says that it is fine to do something, or the action causes no problem.

Verb te-form + もかまわない. Similar to 〜てもいい but a little formal and often used when permitting. A related form is 〜ても差し支えない, which is even stiffer. The polite question is 〜てもかまいませんか.

Examples

ここで待まっていてもかまいませんか。

Is it all right if I wait here?

多少たしょう遅おくれてもかまいませんので、ご都合つごうのよい時間じかんにお越おこしください。

It doesn't matter if you are a little late, so please come at a time that suits you.

Study 〜てもかまわない in the course →