verb

erlauben

allow

Jemandem die Zustimmung geben, etwas zu tun oder zu haben.

Definition & meaning

The verb erlauben means to permit, allow, or grant permission for something to happen or for someone to do something. It indicates that an action is authorized or not prohibited by an authority or a rule.

There are two primary ways the verb is used:

To grant someone permission: "Ich erlaube dir, das Spiel zu spielen" (I allow you to play the game).
To allow for something (often used with reflexive pronouns or as a participle): "Die Umstände erlauben es nicht" (The circumstances do not allow for it).

It is also commonly used in the set phrase "sich erlauben," which can mean to take the liberty of doing something ("Ich erlaube mir den Hinweis...") or to play a joke/prank on someone ("Sich einen Scherz erlauben").

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

Type: Weak verb.
Conjugation: erlaube (I allow), erlaubte (I allowed), hat erlaubt (I have allowed).
Case usage: It usually takes the Dative case for the person being granted permission (jemandem etwas erlauben).

Word origin: The word is composed of the prefix er- and the root lauben. The root comes from the Old High German loubōn, which is related to the noun Urlaub (vacation/leave). Historically, it is connected to the concept of "believing" or "approving" (glauben ), implying that something is accepted or granted as valid.