authorization
Loading your saved state.
authorization
Formal, often written permission or authorization to act on behalf of another person or institution, or to exercise certain powers.
Mit dieser Ermächtigung kann mein Anwalt alle notwendigen Dokumente für mich unterzeichnen.
With this authorization, my lawyer can sign all necessary documents for me.
'Die Ermächtigung' (authorization) is the noun form of the verb 'ermächtigen' (to authorize). This is derived from 'Macht' (power) and means to give someone the power or authority to perform an action.
Ich ermächtige Sie, in meinem Namen zu unterschreiben.
I authorize you to sign on my behalf.
This word belongs to formal administrative and legal language. It is rarely used in everyday speech. It usually refers to official permission that has been recorded in writing.
Für den Zugriff auf die Akten benötigen Sie eine schriftliche Ermächtigung.
You need written authorization to access the files.
To describe the permitted action, an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to) is very often used, directly following the noun.
Sie erteilte ihrer Tochter die Ermächtigung, das Paket bei der Post abzuholen.
She gave her daughter authorization to pick up the package at the post office.
approval / permit
'Genehmigung' and 'Ermächtigung' are both formal permissions, but they have a different focus. 'Genehmigung' permits a specific plan, project, or action. 'Ermächtigung' gives a person or body the authority to act on behalf of someone else or to exercise certain rights. That is why 'Ermächtigung' often sounds more like power of attorney and responsibility. Learners may confuse the words because both are official. A memory aid: a 'Genehmigung' says, 'You may do this'; an 'Ermächtigung' is more like saying, 'You may act or decide on this behalf.'
Die Ermächtigung des Vorstands erlaubt ihr, den Vertrag zu unterschreiben.
The board's authorization allows her to sign the contract.
In der Schule braucht der Verein eine Genehmigung, wenn er Spenden sammeln will.
At the school, the club needs approval if it wants to collect donations.