Gewähren

Gewähren is a transitive German verb meaning to grant, allow, or confer something to someone, usually in formal, administrative, or legal contexts. It denotes the provision of a right, permission, privilege, or resource by an authority or a person in a position to decide. The sense implies a substantive act of allocating or bestowing rather than mere casual permitting.

Usage and construction: Gewähren takes a recipient in the dative and the thing granted as the direct object. Examples include: Die Behörde gewährt dem Antragsteller eine Aufenthaltsgenehmigung. Der Vermieter gewährt dem Mieter einen Monat Mietfreiheit. Dem Nutzer wird Zugang zum Service gewährt. Phrases such as eine Ausnahme gewähren or Zugangsgewährung are common in bureaucratic language.

Nuance and related terms: Gewähren is considered formal and official in tone. In everyday speech, one may prefer erlauben, zulassen, gestatten, or erteilen, depending on context. Gewähren emphasizes the act of provisioning or conceding a benefit, rather than merely giving permission. Related verbs include genehmigen (to approve), erteilen (to issue), and gewährleisten (to guarantee or ensure). In contrast to genehmigen, gehägerufendurch gewähren focuses more on the provision of the benefit itself.

Forms and usage notes: The past participle is gewährt, as in Der Antrag wurde gewährt. The verb is used across legal, administrative, and formal writing, with common collocations involving rights, access, privileges, exemptions, or support. Its precise meaning often depends on the context and the authority granting the benefit.