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What is the proper word to use when asking permission? I have always used "moshna" but I am now unsure if that is universal. Does this express the sense "will I offend you if I do this?"
Also, when playing a game and come to the point where you are no longer able to make a move - you must turn play over to the next player - I have always said "ya nee magoo". Now, I have learned there is a word "nelzya". What should I be saying in the context of my game-playing?
можно - mozhno - May I/ can I? Correct!
Нельзя - nelzya - means that it is not allowed, an illegal move
я не могу - ya ne mogu - I can not (go), I think is sufficient
also useful:
твоя очередь - tvoya ocherad - your turn
Thank you. I should have focused on the "your turn" phrase earlier for my game playing conversations...
As for "may I" -- I also see in my dictionary these phrases:
разрешите мне
позволит мне
позвольте мне
How are these distinguished from "я могу" and its variants?
разрешите - Allow me (formal)
позвольте - Permit me (formal)
I wouldn't recommend using these during a game, unless it is against a grandmaster and you are kicking his behind :)