to approve
Loading your saved state.
to approve
To give official permission or approval for something, usually for an application or a project.
Die Baubehörde hat den Bauplan für das neue Haus genehmigt.
The building authority approved the construction plan for the new house.
to treat oneself
To allow oneself or treat oneself to something, often an alcoholic drink or a small reward.
Nach dem anstrengenden Tag genehmige ich mir jetzt ein kühles Bier.
After the exhausting day, I'm treating myself to a cold beer now.
The verb 'genehmigen' (to approve) is often used with a person in the dative who receives the permission. The structure is: subject (who approves?) genehmigt jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative).
Mein Chef hat mir den Urlaub genehmigt.
My boss approved my vacation for me.
The difference between the meanings becomes clear through the reflexive pronoun 'sich'. Without 'sich', it means 'to officially allow'. With 'sich', it means 'to treat oneself to something'.
Die Stadt genehmigt den Bau der neuen Brücke.
The city approves the construction of the new bridge.
In the meaning 'erlauben' (to allow), 'genehmigen' belongs to formal or official language. You often find it in business emails, applications, or official documents.
Der Antrag auf Fördermittel wurde vom Ausschuss genehmigt.
The application for funding was approved by the committee.
The expression 'sich etwas genehmigen' (to treat oneself to something) always uses a reflexive pronoun in the dative. The person treating themselves to something is in the dative (mir, dir, sich, etc.), and the thing being treated to is in the accusative.
Genehmigst du dir auch ein Stück von dem leckeren Kuchen?
Are you treating yourself to a piece of that delicious cake too?
to allow
Erlauben can express any kind of consent for an action or plan. Genehmigen, on the other hand, typically refers to official approval, often after an application or plan has been reviewed. Use erlauben for everyday decisions and genehmigen when an official body approves something.
Das Amt genehmigt den Antrag für den Umbau des Hauses.
The authorities approve the application to remodel the house.
Der Vater erlaubt seiner Tochter, heute bei ihrer Freundin zu übernachten.
The father allows his daughter to spend the night at her friend’s house.
