permitir
/peɾmiˈtiɾ/
The Spanish verb for permit is permitir.
If you are referring to a physical document or an artifact that renders something legal, the noun form is permiso.
Meaning: an artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal (noun)
Which one should you use?
While permitir is a direct translation of 'to permit', it is often more formal than the common verb dejar, which is used in everyday speech to mean 'to let' or 'to allow'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using permitir to mean 'to allow someone or something to do something', it is often followed by the conjunction que and a verb in the subjunctive mood. The reflexive form permitirse is used when the subject is the one receiving the permission, such as in the phrase permitirse un lujo (to allow oneself a luxury). To express the transitive sense of allowing someone to do something, you may see the form permitirle.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾmiˈtiɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word permitir shares a common ancestor with the English word 'mission' through the Latin root 'mittere', meaning 'to send'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you ask someone ¿Me permite?, you are not just asking for permission, but rather politely asking them to move out of your way.
- In many Spanish speaking countries, permiso is used as a polite shorthand for con permiso when passing through a crowd or entering a room, acting as a request to 'excuse me'.
Examples in context
- No puedo permitir esto.I can't permit this.This sentence shows how to use permitir to express an inability to permit something.Tatoeba #4563331 by cueyayotl, translation #4563335 by robbieheslop
- No puedo permitir que esto continúe.I can't permit this to continue.This sentence demonstrates the use of permitir followed by que to permit an action to continue.Tatoeba #3867622 by cueyayotl, translation #2303607 by CK
- Necesito un permiso para construir una casa en este terreno.I need a permit to build a house on this land.
- Por favor, solicite una autorización antes de realizar cualquier modificación.Please request permission before making any modifications.
- Debe obtener una licencia antes de operar ese tipo de vehículo.You must obtain a license before operating that type of vehicle.
- ¿Me dejas salir con mis amigos esta noche?Can I go out with my friends tonight?
- No permitas que eso te detenga.Don't let that stop you.
- Mi mamá me da permiso para dormir en casa de Ana.My mom gives me permission to sleep at Ana's house.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing their construction project.
- JavierYa tenemos el permitir de construcción.We already have the construction permit.
- LucíaEso es genial, Javier.That is great, Javier.
- JavierAhora podemos empezar a trabajar.Now we can start working.
- LucíaPerfecto, Lucía está lista.Perfect, Lucía is ready.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry permitir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries permitir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
