Inklingo

How to Say "permit" in Spanish

English → Spanish

permiso

/per-MEE-soh//peɾˈmiso/

nounA2general
Use 'permiso' when referring to a general official document or authorization that allows you to do something, like a permit to work or a permit to drive.
A stylized hand holds up a simple, rectangular identification card next to a small illustration of a steering wheel, symbolizing a driving permit.

Examples

¿Ya tienes tu permiso de conducir?

Do you have your driver's license yet?

Para trabajar aquí, necesitas un permiso de trabajo.

To work here, you need a work permit.

La construcción fue detenida porque no tenían el permiso necesario.

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

Permit vs. License

Mistake: “Using 'permiso' for every type of license.”

Correction: 'Permiso' is perfect for official documents like work or residency permits. For driving, both 'permiso de conducir' and 'licencia de conducir' are common. 'Licencia' can sometimes sound more official or be preferred in certain regions.

licencia

lee-SEN-syah/liˈθen.sja/

nounA1general
Use 'licencia' for a specific, often official document that grants a formal right or permission, such as a driver's license, a hunting license, or a business license.
A cartoon hand holding up a stylized, official ID card featuring a small car silhouette, representing a driving license.

Examples

Perdí mi licencia de conducir en el viaje.

I lost my driver's license on the trip.

Necesitas una licencia para abrir un restaurante.

You need a license to open a restaurant.

Gender Reminder

Even though it ends in '-a', 'licencia' is always feminine. Remember to use 'la licencia' or 'una licencia'.

permita

/per-MEE-tah//peɾˈmita/

verbB1formal
Use 'permita' as the formal, third-person singular present subjunctive of the verb 'permitir', meaning 'to allow' or 'to permit' someone to do something.
A person in a blue uniform stands beside a decorative wooden gate, holding it wide open while politely gesturing for a smaller person in a red outfit to walk through first.

Examples

Permita que le ayude con su equipaje, por favor.

Allow me to help you with your luggage, please.

Espero que la situación nos permita viajar pronto.

I hope the situation allows us to travel soon.

Mi jefe no quiere que yo permita ninguna excepción a la regla.

My boss does not want me to allow any exception to the rule.

Formal Commands

When you want to tell a person formally (using 'usted') to allow something, you use 'permita'. This is the same form as the 'él/ella/usted' form in the special verb mood used for wishes and influence.

Subjunctive Use

'Permita' is the form used for 'yo', 'él', 'ella', and 'usted' when the verb is in the special mood used to talk about wishes, doubts, or things that might happen, often after words like 'espero que' (I hope that) or 'no creo que' (I don't believe that).

Formal vs. Informal Command

Mistake: “Using 'permite' when speaking formally to a boss or elder.”

Correction: Use 'permita' for formal requests (usted command) and 'permite' for informal requests (tú command). Remember: 'permita' is always more polite.

Noun vs. Verb Confusion

The most common mistake is confusing the nouns 'permiso' and 'licencia' with the verb form 'permita'. Remember that 'permiso' and 'licencia' are documents or authorizations, while 'permita' is the action of allowing, used in formal speech.

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