die  Erlaubnis

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈlaʊpnɪs/

📜 What does "die Erlaubnis" mean?

Die Erlaubnis (noun, feminine) means permission or approval for someone to do something. It's the formal or informal consent given for an action.

• General meaning: Consent allowing something to be done. Example: Er bat um Erlaubnis, früher gehen zu dürfen. (He asked for permission to leave earlier.)
• Formal meaning: An official authorization or license, often in writing. Example: Sie benötigen eine Baugenehmigung als offizielle Erlaubnis für den Anbau. (You need a building permit as official permission for the extension.)

⚠️ Note: Although similar, Genehmigung is often more formal and more frequently refers to administrative procedures than the general Erlaubnis.

📊 Grammar in Detail: die Erlaubnis

The word "Erlaubnis" is a feminine noun. Its declension is as follows:

📝 Application Examples

1. Hast du die Erlaubnis deiner Eltern? (Do you have your parents' permission? - Accusative Singular)
2. Ohne Erlaubnis des Autors darf der Text nicht kopiert werden. (The text may not be copied without the author's permission. - Genitive Singular; often replaced by 'von' + Dative: Ohne die Erlaubnis vom Autor...)
3. Mit dieser Erlaubnis können Sie das Grundstück betreten. (With this permission, you may enter the property. - Dative Singular)
4. Die Firma sammelte alle nötigen Erlaubnisse für das Projekt. (The company gathered all necessary permits for the project. - Accusative Plural)

🗣️ How to use "Erlaubnis"?

"Erlaubnis" is used in various contexts, from everyday situations to formal and legal matters.

• In everyday life: When asking for or granting consent. "Darf ich bitte Ihr Telefon benutzen?" - "Ja, Sie haben meine Erlaubnis." ("May I please use your phone?" - "Yes, you have my permission.")
• Formal/Official: Often synonymous with Genehmigung (approval), Bewilligung (granting), or Lizenz (license). Refers to official documents or rights. "Die Einfuhr erfordert eine spezielle Erlaubnis." ("The import requires a special permit.")
• Fixed expressions: "um Erlaubnis bitten" (to ask for permission), "die Erlaubnis geben/erteilen" (to give permission), "ohne Erlaubnis" (without permission), "mit freundlicher Erlaubnis" (with kind permission).

The corresponding verb is erlauben (to allow, to permit).

Example: Der Lehrer erlaubt den Schülern, während des Tests Wasser zu trinken. (The teacher allows the students to drink water during the test.)

Distinction: While "Erlaubnis" is often simple consent, "Genehmigung" usually implies a more formal act, often after review by an authority.

🧠 Mnemonics & Memory Aids

Article Cue (die)

Think of things that often require permission where 'she' (associated with 'die') might grant it: 'Die Mutter gibt die Erlaubnis.' (The mother gives the permission). Also, many nouns ending in '-nis' are feminine ('die'), like 'die Kenntnis' (knowledge), 'die Finsternis' (darkness). It fits for 'Erlaubnis'.

Meaning Cue (Permission)

The word contains "erlaub-", like the verb "erlauben" (to allow). What is erlaubt (allowed), you have the Erlaubnis for. It also sounds a bit like the English phrase 'allow this' - the permission to do something.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Erlebnis (das): An experience. Don't confuse!
• Ergebnis (das): The result or outcome.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der kleine Tim seinen Vater: "Papa, darf ich dich etwas fragen?"
Vater: "Klar, Tim, du hast meine Erlaubnis."
Tim: "Super! Dann frag ich Mama."

Translation:
Little Tim asks his father: "Dad, may I ask you something?"
Father: "Sure, Tim, you have my permission."
Tim: "Great! Then I'll go ask Mom."

✍️ Poem about Permission

Man braucht sie hier, man braucht sie dort,
an manchem fremden, weiten Ort.
Ob leise nur, ob laut gefragt,
ob schriftlich oder nur gesagt.
Bevor du tust, was nicht erlaubt,
sei schlau, bevor es jemand raubt,
dein gutes Recht – frag lieber leis:
"Hab' ich die Erlaubnis, alter Greis?"

Translation:
You need it here, you need it there,
In many a foreign, distant square.
Whether whispered low or asked aloud,
Whether written down or just avowed.
Before you do what's not allowed,
Be smart, before someone has plowed
Your good right under – better ask with ease:
"Do I have permission, old man, please?"

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Schlüssel, öffne doch manche Tür.
Ich bin kein Gesetz, doch sag', was man tun darf hier.
Man bittet darum, manchmal muss man zahlen,
Ohne mich gibt's oft Ärger und Qualen.

Was bin ich?
... Die Erlaubnis

Translation:
I am no key, yet I open many a door.
I am no law, yet say what one may do here for sure.
People ask for me, sometimes you must pay,
Without me, there's often trouble and dismay.

What am I?
... Permission (Die Erlaubnis)

💡 More on Erlaubnis

Word Origin & Composition

The word "Erlaubnis" is a noun formed from the verb erlauben (to allow, permit) using the suffix "-nis". The suffix "-nis" often forms abstract nouns from verbs or adjectives (e.g., kennen -> Kenntnis [knowledge], finster -> Finsternis [darkness]). "Erlauben" itself derives from the Old High German "irlouben", which originally meant "to approve" or "to sanction".

Cultural Context

The concept of 'Erlaubnis' plays a significant role in German culture, as in many others, concerning social interactions, hierarchies (parent-child, employer-employee), and of course, the legal and bureaucratic system.