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permitir

per-mee-TEER/peɾmiˈtiɾ/

“permitir” means “to permit” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to permit, to allow

Also: to let
VerbA1regular ir
A large, friendly hand holding a golden key, handing it to a smaller hand in front of a closed wooden gate, symbolizing formal permission.
infinitivepermitir
gerundpermitiendo
past Participlepermitido

📝 In Action

Mi jefe no me permite trabajar desde casa.

A1

My boss does not allow me to work from home.

La ley permite el uso de bicicletas en esta zona.

A2

The law permits the use of bicycles in this area.

Permítame ayudarle con esas cajas pesadas.

B1

Allow me to help you with those heavy boxes. (Formal)

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • Permitir la entrada – To allow entry
  • Permitir el acceso – To grant access

to enable, to allow for

Also: to facilitate
VerbB1regular ir
A small red ball is stuck at the bottom of a steep wooden step. A blue ramp has been placed against the step, allowing the ball to roll up easily, illustrating the concept of enabling.
infinitivepermitir
gerundpermitiendo
past Participlepermitido

📝 In Action

Este nuevo software permite una comunicación más rápida.

B1

This new software enables faster communication.

La arquitectura del edificio permite la entrada de mucha luz natural.

B2

The building's architecture allows for the entry of a lot of natural light.

Su flexibilidad le permite adaptarse a cualquier situación.

C1

His flexibility allows him to adapt to any situation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • posibilitar (to make possible)
  • facilitar (to facilitate)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • Permitir el desarrollo – To enable development
  • Permitir la operación – To enable the operation

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedpermite
yopermito
túpermites
ellos/ellas/ustedespermiten
nosotrospermitimos
vosotrospermitís

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpermitía
yopermitía
túpermitías
ellos/ellas/ustedespermitían
nosotrospermitíamos
vosotrospermitíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedpermitió
yopermití
túpermitiste
ellos/ellas/ustedespermitieron
nosotrospermitimos
vosotrospermitisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedpermita
yopermita
túpermitas
ellos/ellas/ustedespermitan
nosotrospermitamos
vosotrospermitáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpermitiera
yopermitiera
túpermitieras
ellos/ellas/ustedespermitieran
nosotrospermitiéramos
vosotrospermitierais
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: permitir

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'permitir' in the sense of 'to enable' (making something possible)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
permiso(permission (noun)) — Noun
permisible(permissible (adjective)) — Adjective
permisivo(permissive (adjective)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *permittere*, which is a combination of *per-* (meaning 'through') and *mittere* (meaning 'to send' or 'to let go'). The original meaning was literally 'to let go through' or 'to allow to pass,' leading directly to the modern meaning of 'to allow.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: permitPortuguese: permitir

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'permitir' and 'dejar'?

'Permitir' is often used in more formal, official, or structural contexts (like laws, rules, or professional agreements). 'Dejar' is more common in daily, informal conversation when talking about basic permission ('Can I leave now?').

When do I need to use the reflexive form 'permitirse'?

'Permitirse' (to allow oneself) is used when you are giving permission to yourself, often in the sense of 'to afford' or 'to indulge in.' For example, 'Me permití un día libre' (I allowed myself a day off).