いいよ
いいよ
expression
sure, it's okay, that's fine
1.
sure, go ahead, that's fine
Used to grant permission or express approval of someone's request or suggestion.
「借りてもいい？」「いいよ。」
"Can I borrow this?" "Sure."
「明日でもいい？」「いいよ、明日にしよう。」
"Is tomorrow okay?" "Sure, let's make it tomorrow."
「ここに座ってもいいですか。」「いいよ、どうぞ。」
"May I sit here?" "Go ahead, please."
2.
it's okay, don't worry about it
Used to reassure someone that something is not a problem, or to decline an offer politely.
「ごめんね。」「いいよ、気にしないで。」
"Sorry about that." "It's fine, don't worry about it."
「手伝おうか？」「いいよ、一人でできる。」
"Want me to help?" "It's okay, I can do it myself."
「お金、返すよ。」「いいよいいよ、気にしなくて。」
"I'll pay you back." "No no, don't worry about it."
Repetition いいよいいよ adds emphasis
USAGE:
いいよ is one of the most common casual responses in Japanese. Context and tone determine whether it means "yes, go ahead" (permission) or "no, it's fine" (declining/reassuring).
When declining an offer, いいよ can be ambiguous — it might sound like acceptance. To make refusal clearer, speakers often add 大丈夫 or a hand gesture.
POLITE EQUIVALENTS:
- いいですよ (polite permission)
- 構いませんよ (formal, "I don't mind")
- 結構です (polite refusal)