permitirvsdejar
/pehr-mee-TEER/
/deh-HAR/
💡 Quick Rule
Permitir = official permission. Dejar = casual letting or leaving something behind.
Think: Permitir is for Permits, Police, and Parents being strict. Dejar is for 'Don't worry, just let me' or when you 'depart' and leave something.
- In casual speech, 'dejar' is often used where 'permitir' would be technically correct.
- 'Dejar' has the completely separate meaning of 'to leave behind', which 'permitir' never has.
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | permitir | dejar | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asking Permission | ¿Me permite pasar? | ¿Me dejas pasar? | Permitir is formal (to a stranger, official). Dejar is informal (to a friend). |
| Rules & Signs | No se permite la entrada. | Mi mamá no me deja entrar. | Permitir is for official, written rules. Dejar is for personal, informal rules. |
| Core Meaning | El gobierno permite la construcción. | Dejé el coche en el garaje. | Permitir is only about permission. Dejar means both 'to let' and 'to leave behind'. |
| Giving a Command | (Rarely used in command form) | ¡Déjame en paz! | Dejar is commonly used for commands like 'Let me...' or 'Leave me...' |
✅ When to Use "permitir" / dejar
permitir
To permit, to allow (suggests formal, official, or hierarchical permission)
/pehr-mee-TEER/
Official rules & regulations
No se permite fumar en el edificio.
Smoking is not permitted in the building.
Granting formal permission
El profesor no permite el uso de teléfonos en clase.
The teacher does not permit the use of phones in class.
Polite or formal requests
Permítame presentarle a mi colega.
Allow me to introduce my colleague to you.
dejar
To let, to allow (informal); also, to leave (something behind)
/deh-HAR/
Informal or personal permission
Mis padres me dejan usar el coche los fines de semana.
My parents let me use the car on weekends.
Letting someone do something
Déjame ver si puedo arreglarlo.
Let me see if I can fix it.
Leaving something or someone behind
Dejé mis llaves sobre la mesa.
I left my keys on the table.
To stop or quit doing something
Voy a dejar de comer azúcar.
I'm going to stop eating sugar.
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "permitir":
No te permito salir con esa gente.
I do not permit you to go out with those people. (Very strict, formal)
With "dejar":
No te dejo salir con esa gente.
I'm not letting you go out with those people. (Common, firm)
The Difference: 'Permitir' sounds like a final, unchallengeable decree. 'Dejar' is the more common, everyday way for a parent to forbid something.
With "permitir":
Señor, permítame explicar la situación.
Sir, allow me to explain the situation. (Formal, polite)
With "dejar":
Oye, déjame explicar lo que pasó.
Hey, let me explain what happened. (Informal, everyday)
The Difference: Use 'permítame' when you need to be very respectful or formal. Use 'déjame' in almost every other situation.
With "permitir":
El museo no permite tomar fotos con flash.
The museum doesn't permit flash photography.
With "dejar":
El guardia no me dejó tomar una foto.
The guard didn't let me take a picture.
The Difference: 'Permitir' describes the official, general rule. 'Dejar' describes the specific, personal action of someone enforcing that rule.
🎨 Visual Comparison
Permitir is for official permission; dejar is for casual 'letting' someone do something or leaving something behind.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Permití mi teléfono en casa.
Dejé mi teléfono en casa.
When you mean 'to leave something behind', you must always use 'dejar'. 'Permitir' only means 'to allow'.
On an official sign: 'No dejar perros.'
On an official sign: 'No se permiten perros.'
For signs, laws, and official regulations, 'permitir' is the standard, more formal verb.
Permíteme ayudarte.
Déjame ayudarte.
While technically correct, 'permíteme' sounds overly formal for a simple offer to help. 'Déjame' is much more natural and common.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
🏷️ Key Words
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Permitir vs Dejar
Question 1 of 3
A sign in a park says: 'No se ___ hacer fogatas.'
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just always use 'dejar' instead of 'permitir'?
In casual conversation, you often can, as 'dejar' is much more common. However, in formal situations, on official signs, or in writing, 'permitir' is the better, more precise word. And remember, you can never use 'permitir' when you mean 'to leave something behind'.
Why do they both exist if they're so similar?
Think of it like 'allow' (permitir) vs. 'let' (dejar) in English. 'Allow' sounds more formal and official, while 'let' is what we use every day. Spanish makes the same distinction, but 'dejar' also pulls double duty by meaning 'to leave'.