Asking for permission

The idea

Use pedir permiso with para and an infinitive for the action; use a to name the person asked.

Examples

• Ana pide permiso para abrir la ventana.Ana asks permission to open the window.
• Los niños pidieron permiso para jugar en el jardín.The children asked permission to play in the garden.
• Le pido permiso a mi vecina para usar su escalera.I ask my neighbour for permission to use her ladder.
• ¿Pides permiso al profesor para salir de clase?Are you asking the teacher for permission to leave class?
• Marta pidió permiso para fotografiar el mural.Marta asked permission to photograph the mural.
• Antes de cambiar el horario, pedimos permiso a la directora.Before changing the schedule, we ask the director for permission.

Watch out

Avoid the invented combination preguntar permiso; say pedir permiso.

Try it yourself

1. Complete the sentence: Luis pide permiso ___ entrar. (para / por)

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   para

   para introduces the action of entering.

2. Complete the sentence: Ayer le ___ permiso a su madre. (pidió / pide)

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   pidió

   pidió places the request yesterday.

3. Complete the sentence: Le pedimos permiso ___ vecino para cortar las flores. (al / del)

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   al

   al identifies the neighbour as the person asked.

Use it today

Ask someone for permission to use an object.