Thread: Captain May I

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