authorization
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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.
power of attorney
Both words refer to formal permission to act on behalf of another person or institution. Vollmacht usually means specific authority to represent someone and act in their name. Ermächtigung, by contrast, can grant only certain powers without allowing broader action.
Mit der Ermächtigung durfte Anna nur die Stromrechnung ihrer Mutter bezahlen.
The authorization allowed Anna only to pay her mother's electricity bill.
Mit der Vollmacht durfte Anna den Mietvertrag im Namen ihrer Mutter unterschreiben.
The power of attorney allowed Anna to sign the lease on behalf of her mother.
