erlauben
to allow
To give someone permission or approval to do something; to permit something.
EXAMPLE
Meine Eltern erlauben mir, am Wochenende länger aufzubleiben.
My parents allow me to stay up later on the weekend.
erlauben
to allow
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Meanings
sich etwas erlauben
to have the nerve
To do something that is considered rude, brazen, or inappropriate.
EXAMPLE
Was erlauben Sie sich eigentlich, so mit mir zu reden?
What gives you the right to talk to me like that?
sich etwas erlauben
to afford
To be able to afford something, either financially or figuratively as a luxury.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Gehaltserhöhung kann ich mir endlich ein neues Auto erlauben.
After the pay raise, I can finally afford a new car.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Erlauben' (to allow) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er erlaubt seinem Sohn, mit Freunden ins Kino zu gehen.
He allows his son to go to the movies with friends.
Word family
The word family includes 'die Erlaubnis' (permission) and 'der Urlaub' (vacation). 'Urlaub' originally meant permission to leave work or duty.
EXAMPLE
Ohne die Erlaubnis der Eltern darfst du nicht mitfahren.
Without the parents' permission, you're not allowed to come along.
Dative construction
When you permit someone to do something, the person receiving the permission is always in the dative. The construction is either 'jemandem etwas erlauben' (to allow someone something) or 'jemandem erlauben, etwas zu tun' (to allow someone to do something).
EXAMPLE
Ich erlaube dir die Nutzung meines Computers.
I allow you to use my computer.
Reflexive with dative
In the meaning 'sich etwas leisten' (to afford something), the verb is reflexive. The person is the subject and the reflexive pronoun is in the dative: 'Ich erlaube mir einen teuren Urlaub.' (I allow myself an expensive vacation.)
EXAMPLE
Diesen Luxus kann ich mir leider nicht erlauben.
Unfortunately, I can't afford this luxury.
Fixed expression
The expression 'Was erlauben Sie sich?' is a fixed phrase used to express outrage at rude behavior. The verb is used reflexively here.
EXAMPLE
Einfach vorzudrängeln! Was erlauben Sie sich eigentlich?
Just pushing ahead like that! What gives you the right?
Compare with
erlauben vs ermöglichen
to enable
Erlauben means that someone gives their permission for an action. Ermöglichen means that someone or something creates the necessary conditions for it. An action can therefore be allowed without being practically possible, or it can be enabled by suitable means.
erlauben
Die Chefin erlaubt dem Mitarbeiter, von zu Hause zu arbeiten.
The boss allows the employee to work from home.
ermöglichen
Der neue Laptop ermöglicht dem Mitarbeiter, von zu Hause zu arbeiten.
The new laptop enables the employee to work from home.
In real life
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