Inklingo

How to Say "permit me" in Spanish

English → Spanish

permítame

pehr-MEE-tah-meh/peɾˈmi.ta.me/

Verb (Fixed Expression)A2Formal
Use 'permítame' when you want to formally ask one person for permission to do something, such as introducing yourself or someone else.
A close-up illustration showing one hand extended, palm up, in a polite offering gesture toward a second, waiting hand.

Examples

Permítame presentarle a mi colega, la señora Pérez.

Allow me to introduce you to my colleague, Mrs. Pérez.

Permítame, tengo una pregunta sobre el presupuesto.

Excuse me (Allow me), I have a question about the budget.

Permítame revisar esa información antes de darle una respuesta.

Just a moment (Allow me) to review that information before giving you an answer.

A Fused Command

This word is the command form of the verb 'permitir' (allow), combined with the small word 'me' (me). It is a single, polite unit.

Accent Mark Rule

The accent mark on the 'í' is crucial. It tells you where to put the stress when you say the word, keeping the emphasis on the verb part, even after adding the pronoun 'me'.

Using the Informal Command

Mistake: “Permite me (without the accent and separated)”

Correction: Permíteme (if speaking to a friend) or Permítame (if speaking formally). The pronoun 'me' must attach directly to the command.

permítanme

/pehr-MEE-tahn-meh//perˈmitanme/

VerbB1Highly Formal
Use 'permítanme' when you are formally asking a group of people for permission to do something, such as introducing yourself or someone else.
A polite waiter in a formal vest gesturing with an open hand toward a table, inviting a group of people to pass.

Examples

Permítanme presentarles al nuevo director.

Allow me to introduce the new director to you all.

Permítanme un momento para revisar los documentos.

Let me have a moment to check the documents.

Antes de terminar, permítanme darles las gracias.

Before finishing, let me thank you all.

Stuck Together

In Spanish, when you tell someone to do something (a command), words like 'me' (me) or 'lo' (it) get glued directly to the end of the verb.

The Accent Rule

When we add 'me' to the end of 'permitan', the word gets longer. We add an accent mark (´) to the 'í' to make sure we still emphasize the right part of the word when speaking.

Who are you talking to?

Mistake: “Using 'permítanme' when talking to just one person.”

Correction: Use 'permítame' for one person (formal) or 'permíteme' for a friend. Use 'permítanme' only when talking to two or more people.

Singular vs. Plural 'You'

The most common mistake is using 'permítame' when speaking to more than one person. Remember that 'permítame' is for 'you' singular (formal), while 'permítanme' is for 'you' plural.

Related Translations

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