Meaning
「Can I ask you」は英語で「あなたに聞いてもいいですか？」という意味です。この表現は、相手に質問をしたいときに使われます。直接的な質問をする前に、このフレーズを使うことで、相手に敬意を示し、質問をしてもいいかどうか許可を求める形になります。
使い方としては、日常会話やビジネスシーンなどで、質問をする前に「Can I ask you...」と前置きすることで、相手の意向を確認します。例えば、「Can I ask you about your experience?（あなたの経験について聞いてもいいですか？）」のように使われます。
この表現は、礼儀正しい印象を与えるため、特に初対面の人やビジネスの場面で役立ちます。質問をする際に、相手に対して配慮を示すことができる便利なフレーズです。
Today's Sentences
- Can I ask you something?
- Can I ask you for a favor?
- Can I ask you what you think of this?
- Can I ask you what colors go together?
- Can I ask you how this works?
- Writer's Note
01
Can I ask you something?
Situation
Can I ask you something?
Is this your textbook?
これはあなたの教科書ですか？
Yes it is, I thought I had lost it.
I saw you sitting here earlier.
Thank you so much.
02
Can I ask you for a favor?
Situation 1
Hey, can I ask you for a favor?
Sure.
What is it?
それは何ですか？
I’m moving this weekend and need some help.
I think I can help.
Send me the details and I’ll see you then!
詳細を送ってください、それではその時にお会いしましょう！
Situation 2
Do you have a minute?
Sure.
Can I ask you for a favor?
Ask away!
03
Can I ask you what you think of this?
Situation 1
Can I ask you what you think of this?
Is there a problem?
This isn’t the food I ordered.
I’m terribly sorry.
Your original order will be out asap.
ご注文いただいた商品はできるだけ早くお届けいたします。
Situation 2
Can I ask you what you think of this?
OMG, what happened to the wall?
I wanted to surprise you and redesign the room.
Redesign? You tore down the wall?!
04
Can I ask you what colors go together?
Situation
Can I ask you what colors go together?
Well, in this case cherry red and off-white.
How about these?
These ones seem to clash too.
05
Can I ask you how this works?
Situation 1
Can I ask you how this works?
Of course.
It’s all about understanding the basics of gear theory.
大切なのはギア理論の基本を理解することです。
Do you mean the theory that gears are wheels with teeth shaped to make the wheel turn?
Exactly!
Situation 2
Can I ask you how this works?
It’s basically an automating pour-over technology similar to your drip coffee.
That’s amazing!
It really does make a perfect and consistent cup of coffee.
Writer's Note
The phrase "Can I ask you" is a polite and commonly used way to start a question or request someone's permission to ask something personal, sensitive, or important.
Here are some key points about the phrase "Can I ask you".
- Function: Requesting Permission to Ask a Question
👉 Used to politely introduce a question, especially when the topic might be personal, serious, or unexpected.
👉 It softens the question and shows respect for the other person’s boundaries.
Examples:
👉 Can I ask you something personal?
👉 Can I ask you a quick question? - Structure:
"Can I ask you" + noun / question / about + topic?
Examples:
👉 Can I ask you a favor?
👉 Can I ask you something important?
👉 Can I ask you about your experience?
👉 特に個人的、深刻、または予期しないトピックについて質問する際に、丁寧に導入するために使用します。
👉 質問を和らげ、相手の境界を尊重していることを示します。
例:
👉 個人的なことを聞いてもいいですか？
👉 ちょっと質問してもいいですか？
「Can I ask you」 + 名詞 / 質問 / about + トピック?
例:
👉 Can I ask you a favor?
👉 Can I ask you something important?
👉 Can I ask you about your experience?
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