por favor permita
/poɾ faboɾ peɾmita/from spelling rules
In Spanish, please allow is translated as por favor permita.
This phrase is a polite way to ask for permission to do something. In many contexts, English speakers saying please allow are actually intending to say please allow me, which is more naturally expressed in Spanish as por favor permítame.
What does it mean word for word?
The word permita is the formal imperative form of the verb permitir, which means to allow or permit.
Which one should you use?
The choice of form depends on whether you are addressing one person or a group, and how much formality you wish to use. Por favor permita uses the formal usted imperative. To address a group of people, use the plural form por favor permitan. If you wish to use an informal tú imperative, you can use por favor permite.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form por favor permite uses the informal tú imperative, whereas the default por favor permita uses the formal usted imperative. When addressing a group, you should use the plural form por favor permitan.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ faboɾ peɾmita/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of using the formal 'permita', people often use the phrase con permiso to ask for permission to pass through a crowd or leave a room.
- In a formal setting, a Spanish speaker might use permítame as a polite way to interrupt someone or introduce a contrasting point during a debate, rather than asking for permission to act.
- If you are asking for permission in a very formal setting, such as a legal document or a speech, you might see the subjunctive mood used instead of the imperative to soften the command even further.
Examples in context
- Hola señor, por favor, permítame explicarle mi situación.Hello sir, please allow me to explain my situation.
- Por favor, conceda su permiso para utilizar esta sala de conferencias.Please allow me to use this conference room.
- Amiga, por favor, déjame usar tu coche para ir de compras.Friend, please let me use your car to go shopping.
- ¿Podrías permitirme salir más temprano del trabajo hoy?Could you allow me to leave work early today?
- Por favor permita que mi hijo pase.Please allow my son to pass.
- Por favor permita que revise los documentos.Please allow me to check the documents.
Example conversation
Alejandro is asking Lucía for permission to enter a restricted area.
- AlejandroHola Lucía, por favor permita mi entrada.Hello Lucía, please allow my entry.
- LucíaLo siento, Alejandro, no tengo el permiso.I'm sorry, Alejandro, I don't have the permission.
- AlejandroEs muy urgente, por favor permita que pase.It is very urgent, please allow me to pass.
- LucíaEstá bien, pase rápidamente.All right, go through quickly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
