permitir

Permitir is a Spanish verb that means to allow or to grant permission. It is a transitive verb that typically takes a direct object representing what is allowed, as in "La escuela permite visitas" (The school allows visits). It is used to indicate authorization, permission, or tolerance for an action or situation.

Etymology and sense: The verb comes from Latin permittere, formed by per- (through) and mittere (to send). The sense evolved from “to let something pass through” to “to allow or grant.”

Conjugation and forms: Permitir is a regular -ir verb in most tenses. Present indicative forms: yo permito, tú permites, él/ella permite, nosotros permitimos, vosotros permitís, ellos permiten. Preterite: yo permití, tú permitiste, él permitió, nosotros permitimos, vosotros permitisteis, ellos permitieron. Imperfect: permitía, permitías, permitía, permitíamos, permitíais, permitían. Subjunctive present: permita, permitas, permita, permitamos, permitáis, permitan. Other tenses exist like future: permitiré, permitirás, permitirá, permitiremos, permitiréis, permitirán, and the participle is permitido.

Usage notes and constructions: Permitir often appears with que + subjunctive to express that someone is allowed to do something, as in "No permiten que entre" or "Permiten que estudie." The phrase "se permite" can be used impersonally, e.g., "Se permite fumar" (Smoking is allowed) or "Se permiten reservas." The related noun is permiso, meaning permission, while “permitirse” can express granting oneself a luxury or privilege, as in "Me permití un descanso."

See also: Permiso, permitir que, permitiría.