Meowbrown

I love learning languages!
Language learning notebook for polyglots.

てもいいですか and できますか

てもいいですか

Focuses on permission (is it allowed?)

ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか?
May I take a photo here?
Asking if it’s allowed to take a photo.

できますか

Focuses on feasibility or ability (is it possible?)

この写真を撮ることができますか?
Can you take this photo?
Asking if the person is able to take the photo. Maybe they don’t have a camera, so they can’t take it.