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

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    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).

  • 明日(あした)の大会(たいかい)に差(さ)し支(つか)えるので、焼肉(やきにく)に行(い)くのは大会(たいかい)の後(あと)にしましょう。
    Since it will interfere with tomorrow's tournament, let's go to the yakiniku after the tournament.
  • タバコは健康(けんこう)に差(さ)し支(つか)えるので、吸(す)わないようにしています。
    I do not smoke cigarettes because it is hazardous to my health.

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？」
      クライエント「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.'

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