What is the difference between "permiten", "dejan" in Spanish?

The English phrase 'they permit' can be translated into Spanish in a few ways, depending on the formality and context. Understanding these differences will help you choose the most appropriate word for your situation.

How to Say "they permit" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “they permit” is “permiten” — use 'permiten' in more formal or official contexts, often when discussing rules, systems, or official allowances..

permiten🔊A1

Use 'permiten' in more formal or official contexts, often when discussing rules, systems, or official allowances.

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dejan🔊A2

Use 'dejan' for more common, everyday situations where someone is explicitly granting or withholding permission, often with a sense of allowing or stopping an action.

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English → Spanish

permiten

per-MEE-ten/peɾˈmite̞n/

VerbA1Formal

Use 'permiten' in more formal or official contexts, often when discussing rules, systems, or official allowances.

Three cheerful adults stand beside a wooden gate, holding it wide open to allow a small, happy child to walk through.

Examples

Las nuevas regulaciones permiten el uso de energía solar.

The new regulations permit the use of solar energy.

Los nuevos sistemas permiten trabajar desde casa.

The new systems allow working from home.

Mis padres me permiten ir a la fiesta.

My parents allow me to go to the party.

¿Ustedes permiten perros en el hotel?

Do you (formal plural) allow dogs in the hotel?

Identifying the Subject

'Permiten' always refers to a plural subject (more than one person or thing) doing the action, such as 'ellos' (they), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you, formal plural).

Allowing an Action

When you allow someone to do something, 'permitir' is often followed by 'que' and then a special verb form (the subjunctive, like 'permita' or 'permitan'). Example: 'Ellos permiten que yo entre.'

Using the wrong verb form after 'permitir'

Mistake: “Mis padres me permiten que voy.”

Correction: Mis padres me permiten ir. (When the subject of 'permitir' is the same as the subject of the second action, you can often skip 'que' and use the infinitive.)

See full entry for “permiten” →

dejan

DEH-hahn/deˈxan/

VerbA2Informal

Use 'dejan' for more common, everyday situations where someone is explicitly granting or withholding permission, often with a sense of allowing or stopping an action.

Two people standing on either side of a wooden gate, holding it open for a third person who is walking through.

Examples

Mis padres no me dejan salir hasta las once.

My parents don't let me go out until eleven.

Los guardias no dejan pasar a nadie después de las diez.

The guards don't let anyone pass after ten o'clock.

Si ustedes me dejan explicar, todo tendrá sentido.

If you all let me explain, everything will make sense.

Ellas no dejan que sus hijos vean televisión tarde.

They don't allow their children to watch television late.

Structure: Dejar + Infinitive

When 'dejar' means 'to let' or 'to allow,' it is usually followed directly by another verb in its base form (the infinitive): 'dejan entrar' (they let enter).

Using 'que' (The Subjunctive Trigger)

If you want to say 'They allow that someone does something,' you must use 'dejar que' and the verb that follows changes to the special subjunctive form: 'Dejan que estudie' (They let him study).

See full entry for “dejan” →

Formality is Key

The most common mistake is using the informal 'dejan' in formal settings where 'permiten' is expected, or vice-versa. Think about whether you are discussing official rules or everyday permissions.

Related Translations

they abandon→they allow→they enable→they forget→they leave→they let→

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