Permettersi

Permettersi is a pronominal Italian verb that means to allow oneself something or to afford it, and, more broadly, to take the liberty to do or say something. It is formed from the verb permettere combined with a reflexive pronoun, and it often expresses a personal judgment about what is appropriate for the speaker to do at a given moment.

Two main senses are commonly distinguished. The first relates to resources, time, or opportunity: non posso permettermi una vacanza quest’anno means I cannot afford a vacation this year. The second sense concerns the act of undertaking an action or making a remark that one concedes is somewhat audacious or delicate: mi permetto di osservare, di chiedere, o di intervenire translates roughly to I would like to observe, to ask, or to intervene, with a sense of taking the liberty to say or do so.

Grammatical notes are useful for learners. In the present indicative, the forms are mi permetto, ti permetti, si permette, ci permettiamo, vi permettete, si permettono. The verb is pronominal and uses the auxiliary essere in compound tenses (mi sono permesso, si è permesso, ci siamo permessi, etc.), with agreement in gender and number when applicable. Common constructions include mi permetto di + infinito to preface a suggestion or correction (mi permetto di ricordarle che...), or non posso permettermi + oggetto to express lack of means (non posso permettermi quell’auto).

Permettersi is more formal and often found in written or formal spoken Italian. Its use signals politeness and tact, especially when introducing a personal remark or an unsolicited action, while also encompassing the everyday sense of affording something. Related verbs include permettere (to allow) and permettersi di fare qualcosa (to dare oneself the liberty to do something).