Verb

dürfen

Translation

were allowed to, were permitted to

Wir durften früher hier spielen.

We were allowed to play here in the past.

Sie durften das Museum nicht betreten.

They were not allowed to enter the museum.

((+ infinitive)) were allowed to, were permitted to Wir durften früher hier spielen.

konnten (were able to), mussten (had to)

Simple past (Präteritum) form of the verb 'dürfen' (to be allowed to), 1st/3rd person plural. Expresses past permission.

Remember this as the past tense of permission. Think of a situation where you 'were allowed to' do something. 'We were allowed to go to the party.'