Welcome — let's practice asking and giving permission in everyday situations. Short, useful phrases you can use right away.
Level A1: In this lesson you'll learn common German phrases to ask if something is allowed, to give or deny permission, and to be polite when you ask. You'll hear the phrases, practice with short quizzes and matching, and then say them out loud. This lesson is CEFR-aligned and focused on real-life permission language.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Understand and use basic permission phrases like 'Brauche ich eine Erlaubnis...' and 'Du darfst hier nicht...'.
Ask who can give permission and respond politely: 'Wen kann ich fragen?' and 'Ja, natürlich.'
Practice listening, quick quizzes, matching, and speaking aloud.
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.
Brauche ich eine Erlaubnis, wenn ich ___ möchte?
Do I need permission to ___?
Meaning: Do I need permission to ___?
When to use: Use to ask if an action requires approval, with an infinitive verb after the comma.
Brauche ich eine Erlaubnis, wenn ich hier fotografieren möchte?
Do I need permission to take photos here?
Brauche ich eine Erlaubnis, wenn ich im Garten feiern möchte?
Do I need permission to have a party in the garden?
Wen kann ich fragen?
Who can I ask?
Meaning: Who can I ask?
When to use: Use to find out which person or office can give permission or information.
Wen kann ich fragen, ob ich mein Fahrrad hier parken darf?
Who can I ask if I can park my bike here?
Wen kann ich fragen wegen der Erlaubnis für die Veranstaltung?
Who can I ask about permission for the event?
Du darfst hier ___.
You can ___ here.
Meaning: You can ___ here.
When to use: Use informally (du) to tell someone they are allowed to do something.
Tip: Beginners sometimes mix formal 'Sie dürfen' with informal 'du darfst' — choose based on who you speak to.
Du darfst hier sitzen.
You can sit here.
Du darfst hier parken.
You can park here.
Du darfst hier nicht ___.
You can't ___ here.
Meaning: You can't ___ here.
When to use: Use informally (du) to tell someone an action is not allowed.
Tip: Remember the word order: 'nicht' comes before the verb phrase, not after it.
Du darfst hier nicht rauchen.
You can't smoke here.
Du darfst hier nicht parken.
You can't park here.
Das ist erlaubt.
It's allowed.
Meaning: It's allowed.
When to use: Say this to indicate an action or item is permitted.
Im Park ist das Fotografieren erlaubt. — Ja, das ist erlaubt.
Photo-taking in the park is allowed. — Yes, it's allowed.
Die Führung ist heute offen, das ist erlaubt.
The tour is open today; that's allowed.
Das ist nicht erlaubt.
It's not allowed.
Meaning: It's not allowed.
When to use: Use to state that something is forbidden or not permitted.
Hier im Museum ist Essen nicht erlaubt. — Das ist nicht erlaubt.
Eating is not allowed here in the museum. — That's not allowed.
Das Feuer machen im Wald ist gefährlich und das ist nicht erlaubt.
Making a fire in the forest is dangerous and not allowed.
Bitte nicht ___.
Please don't ___.
Meaning: Please don't ___.
When to use: Use for short polite requests on signs or to one person (can be adapted: 'Bitte ___ nicht').
Tip: Beginners sometimes put 'nicht' in the wrong place. For signs, use 'Bitte nicht ___'.
Bitte nicht laut sprechen.
Please don't speak loudly.
Bitte nicht füttern (die Tiere).
Please don't feed the animals.
Ja, natürlich.
Yes, of course.
Meaning: Yes, of course.
When to use: Use to give friendly positive permission or agreement.
Kann ich die Tasche kurz abstellen? — Ja, natürlich.
Can I put the bag down briefly? — Yes, of course.
Darf ich ein Foto machen? — Ja, natürlich.
May I take a photo? — Yes, of course.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
At a small park information desk, Anna asks about rules.
What is Anna asking about?
Anna
Brauche ich eine Erlaubnis, wenn ich hier fotografieren möchte?
Do I need permission to take pictures here?
David
Wen kann ich fragen? Vielleicht die Parkverwaltung?
Who can I ask? Maybe the park office?
Anna
Oder ist das erlaubt?
Or is that allowed?
David
Ja, natürlich. Du darfst hier fotografieren.
Yes, of course. You can take pictures here.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which German phrase means 'Who can I ask?'
Which phrase best matches 'It's not allowed.'?
If you want to tell a friend 'You can sit here', which is correct?
Choose the polite way to say 'Yes, of course.'
The museum sign says: Please don't speak loudly.
The museum sign says: ___.
Anna asks the guard: 'Do I need permission to take photos?'
Anna asks the guard: '___, wenn ich Fotos mache?'
If the guide says 'You can sit here', you may go ahead.
If the guide says '___', you may go ahead.
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.
