to permit
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to permit
To give someone permission for something; to allow or make something possible. It is a formal and polite way to say 'erlauben' (to allow).
Gestatten Sie mir bitte, Ihnen eine persönliche Frage zu stellen.
Please permit me to ask you a personal question.
'Gestatten' is a very formal and polite variant of 'erlauben' (to allow). It is used mainly in written language, in official situations, or when you want to be especially respectful.
Gestatten Sie die Bemerkung, dass Ihr Vortrag ausgezeichnet war.
Permit me the remark that your lecture was excellent.
The verb 'gestatten' is typically constructed with a person in the dative and a thing in the accusative. The structure is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) gestatten.
Der Chef gestattete dem Mitarbeiter einen freien Tag.
The boss granted the employee a day off.
When the permitted action is a verb, the construction 'jemandem gestatten, etwas zu tun' (to permit someone to do something) is used. The infinitive clause with 'zu' follows after a comma.
Die Eltern gestatteten ihrer Tochter, am Wochenende länger aufzubleiben.
The parents permitted their daughter to stay up later on the weekend.
The phrase 'Gestatten, [Name]' is a shortened form of 'Gestatten Sie, dass ich mich vorstelle?' (May I introduce myself?). It is used as a polite but somewhat old-fashioned way of introducing oneself.
Er reichte ihr die Hand und sagte: „Gestatten, mein Name ist Bond.“
He held out his hand to her and said, "Permit me, my name is Bond."
In the reflexive form 'sich etwas gestatten' (to allow oneself something), the reflexive pronoun is always in the dative. The structure is: sich (dative) etwas (accusative) gestatten.
Nach der harten Arbeitswoche gestatte ich mir ein entspannendes Bad.
After the hard workweek, I allow myself a relaxing bath.
to let / to have
'lassen' and 'gestatten' can both mean that someone gets permission. 'lassen' is much more natural in everyday language and is used very often, especially in conversation. 'gestatten' also means to allow or permit, but it sounds more formal and polite. You are more likely to hear it in official situations, in rules, or in very polite language. In many everyday sentences, 'gestatten' can be replaced by 'lassen', but the tone then becomes simpler and less official.
Der Sicherheitsdienst gestattet den Besuchern den Eintritt erst ab neun Uhr.
The security service permits visitors to enter only from nine o’clock onward.
Die Eltern lassen ihre Tochter heute länger auf der Feier bleiben.
The parents are letting their daughter stay longer at the party today.