How to Say "permitted" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “permitted” is “permitido” — use this when 'permitted' functions as an adjective meaning 'allowed' or 'not forbidden,' often appearing after 'estar' (e.g., 'no está permitido')..
permitido
per-mee-TEE-doh/peɾ.miˈti.ðo/
Examples
Fumar no está permitido en este edificio.
Smoking is not allowed in this building.
Hay dos entradas permitidas para los estudiantes.
There are two permitted entrances for the students.
¿Es permitido traer mascotas pequeñas?
Is it allowed to bring small pets?
El jefe ha permitido que salgamos temprano hoy.
The boss has allowed us to leave early today.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'permitido' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. If the thing is masculine singular, use 'permitido'. If it's feminine plural, use 'permitidas'.
Using 'Estar'
You almost always use 'estar' (to be) with 'permitido' to state a rule or condition: 'Está permitido' (It is allowed).
Creating Perfect Tenses
When 'permitido' is used as a verb form, it is always paired with a form of 'haber' (to have) to describe actions completed in the past, like 'he permitido' (I have allowed).
Confusing 'Ser' and 'Estar'
Mistake: “Fumar es permitido.”
Correction: Fumar está permitido. (Use 'estar' because you are talking about the current status or rule, not an inherent quality.)
permitido
Examples
El jefe ha permitido que salgamos temprano hoy.
The boss has allowed us to leave early today.
permitió
Examples
El director nos permitió salir temprano hoy.
The director allowed us to leave early today.
autorizado
ow-toh-ree-SAH-doh/au.to.riˈsa.do/
Examples
Solo el personal autorizado puede entrar en esta zona.
Only authorized personnel can enter this area.
Esta es la versión autorizada del libro.
This is the official (authorized) version of the book.
Necesitas un permiso autorizado para construir aquí.
You need an authorized permit to build here.
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, 'autorizado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. If the noun is feminine (like 'entrada'), you must say 'autorizada'.
Forgetting Gender/Number
Mistake: “La entrada es autorizado.”
Correction: La entrada es autorizada. (The feminine noun 'entrada' requires the feminine ending '-a'.)
dejara
/deh-HAH-ra//deˈxaɾa/
Examples
Mi madre quería que yo dejara de comer dulces.
My mother wanted me to stop eating sweets.
Si el jefe me dejara ir temprano, terminaría el informe en casa.
If the boss would let me leave early, I would finish the report at home.
Era importante que usted dejara su opinión por escrito.
It was important that you leave your opinion in writing.
The 'Hypothetical Past' Mood
This form ('dejara') is the Imperfect Subjunctive. It's used when talking about past wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations that didn't happen, often after verbs of desire (querer), emotion, or necessity (era necesario que).
Two Forms for the Same Tense
Spanish has two standard forms for this tense: 'dejara' and 'dejase'. Both mean exactly the same thing, but 'dejara' is much more common in daily speech across most of Latin America and Spain.
Mixing Conditional and Subjunctive
Mistake: “Si me dejaría, iría. (Incorrect)”
Correction: Si me dejara, iría. (Correct). Remember, 'si' (if) clauses about unreal or hypothetical events in the past or present usually need 'dejara'.
Adjective vs. Verb Usage
Related Translations
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