Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Allow'

English Word: Allow

Key Russian Translations:

• разрешать [rəzʲrʲɪˈʂatʲ] - [Formal, Imperfective Verb]
• разрешить [rəzʲrʲɪˈʂɨtʲ] - [Formal, Perfective Verb]
• позволять [pəzvəˈlʲatʲ] - [Neutral/Formal, Imperfective Verb]
• позволить [pəzvəˈlʲitʲ] - [Neutral/Formal, Perfective Verb]

Frequency: High (commonly used in both formal and informal contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for basic usage; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for aspectual distinctions (perfective vs. imperfective)

Pronunciation (Russian):

разрешать: [rəzʲrʲɪˈʂatʲ]

Note on разрешать: Stress on the second syllable; the "ш" sound is a retroflex sibilant, distinct from English "sh".

разрешить: [rəzʲrʲɪˈʂɨtʲ]

позволять: [pəzvəˈlʲatʲ]

Note on позволять: Stress on the third syllable; the soft "л" sound requires tongue positioning towards the palate.

позволить: [pəzvəˈlʲitʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To give permission or consent

Translation(s) & Context:

• разрешать/разрешить - Used in formal or official contexts, such as rules or permissions from authority.
• позволять/позволить - More neutral, often used for personal permission or allowance.

Usage Examples:

• Школа разрешает ученикам пользоваться телефонами на переменах.

  The school allows students to use phones during breaks.

• Родители разрешили мне пойти на вечеринку.

  My parents allowed me to go to the party.

• Я не могу позволить себе такую дорогую машину.

  I can’t allow myself (afford) such an expensive car.

• Он позволил другу взять свою книгу.

  He allowed his friend to take his book.

• Закон разрешает это только в определённых случаях.

  The law allows this only in specific cases.

2. To make something possible (e.g., afford or enable)

Translation(s) & Context:

• позволять/позволить - Often used in the context of affordability or enabling an action.

Usage Examples:

• Мой бюджет не позволяет мне путешествовать часто.

  My budget doesn’t allow me to travel often.

• Эта работа позволяет мне работать из дома.

  This job allows me to work from home.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

разрешать (Imperfective Verb): Regular conjugation in the 1st conjugation group. Indicates ongoing or repeated permission.

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (M/F/N)
1st Sing. (I)	разрешаю	разрешал / разрешала / разрешало
3rd Sing. (He/She/It)	разрешает	разрешал / разрешала / разрешало
3rd Pl. (They)	разрешают	разрешали

разрешить (Perfective Verb): Indicates a one-time or completed act of permission. Conjugates similarly but only in past and future tenses.

позволять/позволить: Follows similar aspectual rules (imperfective for ongoing, perfective for one-time actions).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• допускать (to admit or allow, often in a broader sense)
• давать разрешение (to give permission, more formal)

Note: "допускать" can imply tolerance of something undesirable, unlike "разрешать".

Antonyms:

• запрещать (to forbid)
• запретить (to prohibit, perfective)

Related Phrases:

• разрешить доступ - to grant access (used in formal or technical contexts)
• позволить себе роскошь - to allow oneself a luxury (common in personal contexts)
• разрешено законом - allowed by law (legal context)

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "разрешать/разрешить" and "позволять/позволить" often depends on formality and context. "Разрешать" is more common in official or authoritative settings, while "позволять" is more personal or neutral.
• Russian verbs come in aspectual pairs (imperfective/perfective). Use imperfective forms ("разрешать", "позволять") for habitual or ongoing permission, and perfective forms ("разрешить", "позволить") for one-time or completed actions.
• In negative constructions (e.g., "not allowed"), "запрещать/запретить" is often more natural than negating "разрешать".

Common Errors:

• Error: Ignoring verb aspect, e.g., using "разрешать" when a one-time permission is implied.
  Incorrect: Я разрешаю тебе это сделать завтра.
  Correct: Я разрешу тебе это сделать завтра. (Future perfective for one-time action)
  Explanation: Aspect is critical in Russian; perfective verbs are used for specific, completed actions.
• Error: Overusing "позволять" in formal contexts where "разрешать" is expected.
  Explanation: "Позволять" can sound too personal in official settings like legal or workplace rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, explicit permission (using "разрешать") is often sought or granted in hierarchical relationships, such as between teachers and students or in workplaces. Asking for permission is seen as a sign of respect, and using the correct verb based on context is important to avoid sounding overly casual or disrespectful.

Related Concepts:

• разрешение (permission, noun form)
• допуск (access or allowance, noun)
• запрет (prohibition, noun)