Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 8: 13/19

ても差(さ)し支(つか)えないMay, Is bit a bother if, Do you mind if, Is it a problem if

ても差し支えないです is also used but lacks politeness compared to other phrases, so it is less common and it is better to avoid it.

Structure

Verb［ても］ + 差(さ)し支(つか)え + ありません(1)（か）
Noun［でも］ + 差(さ)し支(つか)え + ありません(1)（か）
［な］Adjective［でも］ + 差(さ)し支(つか)え + ありません(1)（か）
［い］Adjective［ても］ + 差(さ)し支(つか)え + ありません(1)（か）

(1) ないでしょう、ございません

Details

  • Register

    Polite

About ても差し支えない

ても差(さ)し支(つか)えない is a polite expression used in a similar way to てもいい 'may I', or 'do you mind'. This is a combination of ても (or でも when following nouns or な-Adjectives), and the る-Verb 差(さ)し支(つか)える 'to interfere', or 'to hinder' in its negative form, 差(さ)し支(つか)えない. It may be used either for asking for or granting permission. Due to this pattern being polite, ありません will almost always be used in place of ない by itself.

The more literal translation is 'it is not a hindrance if (A)'. In cases where permission is being asked for, か will be added to the end of ありません.

Caution

Although ても差(さ)し支(つか)える is used in polite sentences, the verb 差(さ)し支(つか)える itself is not strictly reserved for use in polite language, and will appear in sentences when implying that (A) has or will have a negative impact on (B).

Examples

--:--

    「ミーティングは明後日(みょうごにち)でも差(さ)し支(つか)えありません。」

    'I don't mind if the meeting is the day after tomorrow.'

    電車(でんしゃ)：「ここに座(すわ)っても差(さ)し支(つか)えありませんか？」

    Train: 'Would it bother you if I sit here?'

    部下(ぶか)：「今日(きょう)は定時(ていじ)に帰(かえ)っても差(さ)し支(つか)えありませんか？」

    Subordinate: ‘Is it a problem if I go home at the regular time today?’

    医者(いしゃ)に：「この薬(くすり)とその薬(くすり)を一緒(いっしょ)に飲(の)んでも差(さ)し支(つか)えないでしょうか？」

    To a doctor: 'May I take that medicine together with this one?'

    営業(えいぎょう)担当者(たんとうしゃ)：「明日(あした)、お電話(でんわ)差(さ)し上(あ)げても差(さ)し支(つか)えございませんか？」
    クライアント：「はい、問題(もんだい)ありません。」

    Sales representative: 'Would it bother you if I call you tomorrow?'
    Client: 'No problem at all.'

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online

    • Offline

        • Sou Matome Bunpou N2

          Page 130

      • Track Resources!

        Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

      ても差し支えない – Grammar Discussion

        There's currently no discussion for ても差し支えない
        Ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!

      Join the Discussion