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permiso

per-MEE-sohpeɾˈmiso

permission

Also: leave, authorization
NounmA1
A small child receiving permission from an adult to open a colorful gate and enter a playground.

📝 In Action

Mamá, ¿me das permiso para ir al cine?

A1

Mom, will you give me permission to go to the movies?

No tienes permiso para entrar aquí.

A2

You do not have permission to enter here.

Pedí un día de permiso en el trabajo para ir al médico.

B1

I asked for a day of leave from work to go to the doctor.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • prohibición (prohibition)
  • negativa (refusal)

Common Collocations

  • pedir permiso – to ask for permission
  • dar permiso – to give permission
  • con el permiso de – with the permission of
  • permiso de ausencia – leave of absence

permit

Also: license
NounmA2formal
A stylized hand holds up a simple, rectangular identification card next to a small illustration of a steering wheel, symbolizing a driving permit.

📝 In Action

¿Ya tienes tu permiso de conducir?

A2

Do you have your driver's license yet?

Para trabajar aquí, necesitas un permiso de trabajo.

B1

To work here, you need a work permit.

La construcción fue detenida porque no tenían el permiso necesario.

B2

The construction was stopped because they didn't have the necessary permit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • permiso de trabajo – work permit
  • permiso de conducir – driver's license
  • permiso de residencia – residency permit
  • permiso de obras – building permit

excuse me

Also: pardon me
Mexico & Central AmericaSpain
A person gently placing a hand forward to politely request space to walk past two other people who are blocking a narrow path.

📝 In Action

Permiso, ¿puedo pasar?

A1

Excuse me, may I pass?

¡Permiso! El tren va a cerrar las puertas.

A2

Excuse me! The train is about to close its doors.

Permiso, señora, se le cayó la cartera.

A2

Pardon me, ma'am, you dropped your wallet.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • perdón (pardon me / sorry)
  • disculpe (excuse me (formal))

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: permiso

Question 1 of 2

You need to get off a crowded bus. What is the most natural thing to say as you move towards the door?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
permitir(to permit, to allow) — Verb
permisible(permissible, allowable) — Adjective
permisivo(permissive) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

It comes from the Latin word 'permissum', which is a form of the verb 'permittere', meaning 'to let through' or 'to allow'. You can break down the Latin verb into 'per-' (through) and 'mittere' (to send).

First recorded: Around the 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: permissionFrench: permissionItalian: permessoPortuguese: permissão

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'permiso', 'perdón', and 'disculpe'?

Great question! Use 'permiso' *before* you act (like passing someone). Use 'perdón' *after* you've done something wrong (like bumping into them). 'Disculpe' is a more formal way to say 'excuse me' to get someone's attention, similar to 'permiso'.

Is 'permiso' a verb?

While 'permiso' looks like the 'I' form of a verb, it is almost always used as a noun meaning 'permission' or 'permit'. The verb it comes from is 'permitir' (to permit). So, you would say 'Yo permito' for 'I permit', not 'Yo permiso'.