toegestaan

Toegestaan is a Dutch adjective meaning allowed or permitted. It is used to indicate that a rule, policy, or circumstance permits a particular action or situation. Common phrases include Het is toegestaan and Roken is toegestaan, both signifying permission. Negative forms appear as Het is niet toegestaan or Roken is niet toegestaan.

In grammar, toegestaan derives from the verb toestaan, to allow or permit. The present tense of toestaan includes ik sta toe, jij staat toe, hij staat toe, wij staan toe, jullie staan toe, zij staan toe. The past participle is toegestaan, used in perfect constructions with hebben, for example: De leraar heeft het toegestaan. The word can also function adjectivally, as in toegestane activiteiten (permitted activities) or wat toegestaan is (that which is allowed).

Etymology and related terms: toestaan comes from Dutch elements toe- and staan (to stand). In several Germanic languages, cognates exist, such as German gestatten, which similarly means to permit. In everyday Dutch, mogen is a related word meaning may or may be allowed, but mogen often expresses permission more as a possibility or option rather than a firm rule, whereas toegestaan emphasizes that a rule permits the action.

Usage notes: In signage and formal text, niet toegestaan is common for “not permitted.” In official contexts, phrases like volgens de wet is sometimes added to specify regulatory basis. While interchangeable in some contexts, toegestaan highlights compliance with rules, whereas mag or mogen can imply personal or discretionary allowance.