Pozwalaj

Pozwalaj is the second person singular imperative form of the Polish imperfective verb pozwalać, meaning to allow or to permit. It is used to instruct or encourage someone to permit or enable an action, often in contexts implying habitual or repeated allowance. For a single act of permission, the corresponding perfective imperative form is typically pozwól.

Grammatical notes: The imperative forms of pozwalać include pozwalaj (2nd person singular) and pozwalajcie (2nd person plural). Pozwalaj belongs to the imperfective aspect, while its perfective counterpart is pozwolić. The verb can combine with indirect objects (dative) or with an infinitive to express what is being allowed, e.g., Pozwalaj mu wejść do pokoju (Let him come into the room). It can also appear with a reflexive pronoun to mean allowing oneself something, as in Pozwalaj sobie na odpoczynek.

Usage and nuance: Pozwalaj conveys habitual or ongoing permission, or a general instruction to permit certain actions. In contrast, to grant permission for a specific, one-time action, Polish normally uses the perfective pozwolić, e.g., Pozwól mu wejść. Pozwalaj is frequently found in direct speech or instructional contexts and can be softened or made more formal with appropriate tone or wording. Related verbs such as zezwalać/zezwolić and dozwalać/dozwolić express similar ideas but differ in nuance and formality.

Examples: Pozwalaj sobie na drobne przyjemności. (Let yourself enjoy small pleasures.) Pozwalaj dzieciom na zabawę w ogrodzie. (Let the children play in the yard.) Pozwalaj mu wejść do pokoju. (Let him come into the room.) For a single act, use pozwolić: Pozwól mu wejść.