permíteme
“permíteme” means “Allow me” in Spanish (Polite request for permission).
Allow me, Let me
Also: Excuse me
📝 In Action
Permíteme ayudarte con esas bolsas tan pesadas.
A2Allow me to help you with those heavy bags.
Permíteme decir algo sobre ese punto.
B1Let me say something about that point. (Used to interject)
Si me permites, prefiero sentarme aquí.
B1If you allow me, I prefer to sit here. (Note: this shows the base verb structure)
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: permíteme
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the formal version of 'permíteme'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the verb 'permitir' (to permit or allow), which originated in Latin as *permittere*, meaning 'to let go through' or 'to allow to pass.' The ending '-me' is the object pronoun 'me'.
First recorded: The root verb 'permitir' has been in use since medieval times, derived from Latin.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'permíteme' a polite way to interrupt someone?
Yes, absolutely. It's one of the most common and polite ways to interject, similar to saying 'Excuse me, may I say something?' It shows you respect the other person's time and attention.
Why is it not spelled 'permite me'?
In Spanish, when you use an affirmative command (like 'permite'), the little words that act as the object (like 'me', 'te', 'lo', 'la') are always physically attached to the end of the verb, forming a single word. This is a strict rule for affirmative commands.