German - Permission

Lesson 19 of 158

Two friends asking and giving permission in German, learning simple permission phrases.

Goal: Ask and give permission in simple German

Free German lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Ready to practice asking and giving permission in everyday situations? This short lesson helps you say polite requests and simple approvals so you can act confidently. Have fun — ask, listen, repeat, then try speaking aloud.

Level A1: In this lesson you'll learn common German permission phrases like Kann ich..., Darf ich..., Ist das hier erlaubt?, and friendly responses such as Ja, das kannst du. We'll practice asking for permission to use or take things, checking rules, and giving quick approvals. This CEFR-aligned lesson focuses on real phrases you can use right away.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Learn 13 common German permission phrases (A1).
  • Ask for permission politely and informally (Kann ich..., Darf ich...).
  • Understand and give simple approvals and refusals (Ja, das kannst du. / Nein, tut mir leid.).
A learner practicing short German permission phrases like Kann ich... and Darf ich... in a friendly setting.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Kann ich ___?

Can I ___?

Meaning: Can I ___?

When to use: Use to ask informally if you may do something; finish with an infinitive or short action (e.g., kurz telefonieren).

Kann ich kurz fragen?
Can I ask briefly?
Kann ich hier sitzen?
Can I sit here?

Können wir ___?

Can we ___?

Meaning: Can we ___?

When to use: Ask when you want permission for a small group or yourself plus someone else to do something.

Können wir hier warten?
Can we wait here?
Können wir zusammen bezahlen?
Can we pay together?

Darf ich ___?

May I ___?

Meaning: May I ___?

When to use: A more clearly polite way to ask for permission; good for formal or polite situations.

Tip: Avoid mixing 'du' and formal verbs in the same sentence.

Darf ich hereinkommen?
May I come in?
Darf ich Ihr Handy benutzen?
May I use your phone?

Ist es okay, wenn ich ___?

Is it okay if I ___?

Meaning: Is it okay if I ___?

When to use: Use to check whether an action is acceptable; after 'wenn ich' often use a conjugated verb at the end.

Ist es okay, wenn ich kurz telefoniere?
Is it okay if I make a quick call?
Ist es okay, wenn ich das Fenster öffne?
Is it okay if I open the window?

Kann ich ___ benutzen?

Can I use ___?

Meaning: Can I use ___?

When to use: Ask permission to use an object; the thing is usually in accusative (e.g., dein Handy).

Kann ich deinen Stift benutzen?
Can I use your pen?
Kann ich den Computer benutzen?
Can I use the computer?

Kann ich ___ nehmen?

Can I take ___?

Meaning: Can I take ___?

When to use: Ask for permission to take something that belongs to someone or is available nearby.

Kann ich den Stift nehmen?
Can I take the pen?
Kann ich das hier nehmen?
Can I take this?

Ja, das kannst du.

Yes, you can.

Meaning: Yes, you can.

When to use: Give clear informal permission using 'du'. For formal, say 'Ja, das können Sie.'

Tip: Don't use 'du' when you should be formal ('Sie').

A: Kann ich deinen Stift nehmen? B: Ja, das kannst du.
A: Can I take your pen? B: Yes, you can.
Ja, das kannst du — kein Problem.
Yes, you can — no problem.

Klar, mach ruhig.

Sure, go ahead.

Meaning: Sure, go ahead.

When to use: Friendly informal approval; perfect with friends or colleagues you know well.

Klar, mach ruhig, setz dich.
Sure, go ahead, sit down.
Du willst das Buch? Klar, mach ruhig.
You want the book? Sure, go ahead.

Das ist okay.

That's okay.

Meaning: That's okay.

When to use: Say that something is acceptable or allowed; neutral and simple.

Ist es laut? — Nein, das ist okay.
Is it loud? — No, that's okay.
Wenn du das nimmst: Das ist okay.
If you take that: that's okay.

Nein, tut mir leid.

No, sorry.

Meaning: No, sorry.

When to use: Polite refusal when you cannot give permission.

A: Kann ich das benutzen? B: Nein, tut mir leid.
A: Can I use this? B: No, sorry.
Nein, tut mir leid — das geht heute nicht.
No, sorry — that won't work today.

Ist ___ erlaubt?

Is ___ allowed?

Meaning: Is ___ allowed?

When to use: Ask whether an action or thing is permitted (singular). Use 'Ist' for one thing or action.

Ist Rauchen erlaubt?
Is smoking allowed?
Ist Parken hier erlaubt?
Is parking allowed here?

Sind ___ erlaubt?

Are ___ allowed?

Meaning: Are ___ allowed?

When to use: Ask whether multiple things or people are permitted. Use 'Sind' for plural subjects.

Sind Hunde erlaubt?
Are dogs allowed?
Sind Fotos hier erlaubt?
Are photos allowed here?

Ist das hier erlaubt?

Is it allowed here?

Meaning: Is it allowed here?

When to use: Point to a thing or action in the current place and ask whether it's permitted now.

Ist das hier erlaubt, Musik zu hören?
Is it allowed here to listen to music?
Ist das hier erlaubt, Fotos zu machen?
Is it allowed here to take photos?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David in a café: asking to use a phone and checking rules.

Anna and David using permission phrases in a short German conversation about using things and polite refusals.

What is Anna asking permission for?

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Kann ich dein Handy benutzen?

Can I use your phone?

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Klar, mach ruhig.

Sure, go ahead.

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Ist es okay, wenn ich kurz telefoniere?

Is it okay if I make a quick call?

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Ja, das ist okay.

Yes, that's okay.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

How do you politely ask 'May I come in?' in German?

Which phrase asks for permission to use something?

If you want to check a rule for several things, which question do you use?

Which reply is a polite refusal?

Can I use your phone?

___ dein Handy benutzen?

Is this allowed here?

___ das hier erlaubt?

A: Can I take this? B: Yes, you can.

A: Kann ich das nehmen? B: ___

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Kann ich ___?

Can I ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

Können wir ___?

Can we ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

Darf ich ___?

May I ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

Ist es okay, wenn ich ___?

Is it okay if I ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

Kann ich ___ benutzen?

Can I use ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

Kann ich ___ nehmen?

Can I take ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

Ja, das kannst du.

Yes, you can.

Say this phrase out loud:

Klar, mach ruhig.

Sure, go ahead.

Say this phrase out loud:

Das ist okay.

That's okay.

Say this phrase out loud:

Nein, tut mir leid.

No, sorry.

Say this phrase out loud:

Ist ___ erlaubt?

Is ___ allowed?

Say this phrase out loud:

Sind ___ erlaubt?

Are ___ allowed?

Say this phrase out loud:

Ist das hier erlaubt?

Is it allowed here?