permite
“permite” means “allows” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
allows, permitsAlso: lets, authorizes
📝 In Action
La tarjeta de crédito le permite pagar después.
A2The credit card allows him to pay later.
Mi horario me permite ir al gimnasio todos los días.
B1My schedule permits me to go to the gym every day.
¿El reglamento permite mascotas pequeñas en el edificio?
A2Does the regulation permit small pets in the building?
Word Connections
enables, makes possibleAlso: provides
📝 In Action
Este material permite reducir el consumo de energía.
B1This material enables the reduction of energy consumption.
La nueva carretera permite viajar a la costa en solo dos horas.
B2The new highway makes it possible to travel to the coast in only two hours.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "permite" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: permite
Question 1 of 2
Which of these subjects CANNOT correctly use the verb form 'permite'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology
The word comes from the Latin verb *permittere*, which means 'to let pass,' 'to let go,' or 'to allow.' It combines *per-* (meaning 'through') and *mittere* (meaning 'to send' or 'to let go').
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'permite' and 'deja'?
Both mean 'allows,' but 'permite' is generally used for rules, regulations, or formal contexts. 'Deja' is much more informal and common in casual requests or conversation (e.g., 'Mi mamá me deja ir' - My mom lets me go).
Does 'permite' always lead to the subjunctive?
No, often it is followed by the simple infinitive (unconjugated verb), especially when the subject of 'permite' and the subject of the action are the same: 'La ley permite circular' (The law allows driving). If there are two different subjects, you might use a special verb form (subjunctive), but this is less common with 'permitir' than with verbs like 'querer'.