permission
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permission
The approval or consent to be allowed to do something specific. This can be given orally or in the form of an official document.
Hast du deine Eltern um Erlaubnis gefragt, ob du mit ins Kino darfst?
Did you ask your parents for permission to go to the cinema?
'Die Erlaubnis' (permission) is the noun form of the verb 'erlauben' (to allow). If someone allows you to do something, they give you permission.
Mein Chef erlaubt mir, früher zu gehen, also habe ich die Erlaubnis.
My boss allows me to leave earlier, so I have permission.
'Erlaubnis' (permission) is often combined with certain verbs: You can 'bekommen' (get) or 'haben' (have) permission, you can 'geben' (give) or 'erteilen' (grant) it to someone, and you can 'bitten um' (ask for) or 'fragen um' (ask for) it.
Für die Renovierung müssen Sie eine Erlaubnis von der Stadt bekommen.
You must get permission from the city for the renovation.
To describe exactly what is allowed, German very often uses a construction with 'zu' + infinitive. The pattern is: 'die Erlaubnis haben/bekommen, etwas zu tun' (to have/get permission to do something).
Die Kinder haben die Erlaubnis, im Garten zu spielen.
The children have permission to play in the garden.
right / law
'das Recht' and 'die Erlaubnis' can both mean that someone is allowed to do something. The difference lies in the reason for it. 'das Recht' is usually a stronger claim that applies because of laws, rules, or important principles. 'die Erlaubnis' is often received from a specific person or authority for a specific action. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with 'dürfen' (to be allowed to). Practically speaking: you have a right; you get permission.
Die Klasse braucht die Erlaubnis der Lehrerin, um früher zu gehen.
The class needs the teacher's permission to leave early.
Beim Termin hat er erfahren, dass er das Recht auf eine Pause hat.
At the appointment, he learned that he has the right to a break.