Permettetevi

Permettetevi is an Italian reflexive phrase formed as the second-person plural imperative of the verb permettere with the reflexive pronoun vi. It translates roughly as “allow yourselves” or “let yourselves,” and is used to encourage a group to grant themselves permission to do something or to experience something.

Grammatically, permettere means to permit or allow. The imperative for voi is permMettere? No matter; the correct form is Permettete, and when combined with the reflexive pronoun vi it becomes Permettetevi. The phrase is typically followed by di + infinitive or by a direct object, for example: Permettetevi di provare, Permettetevi una pausa, Permettetevi di essere curiosi. In negative constructions, the form is Non permettetevi, as in Non permettetevi di arrabbiarvi.

Usage and nuance: Permettetevi is commonly employed to encourage self-care, self-empowerment, or a more relaxed approach to a situation. It appears in everyday speech, as well as in motivational writing and certain media campaigns, where speakers urge a group to grant themselves time, flexibility, or new possibilities without feeling constrained.

Examples:

- Permettetevi una pausa: prendetevi qualche minuto per rilassarvi.

- Permettetevi di sognare in grande, senza vergogna.

- Permettetevi di sbagliare: è parte del processo di crescita.

See also: the related imperative forms for other persons (io, tu, lui/lei) and the broader use of reflexive imperatives in Italian to express self-directed actions.