erlauben
Translation
to allow, to permit
Examples
Meine Eltern erlauben mir, ins Kino zu gehen.
My parents allow me to go to the cinema.
Rauchen ist hier nicht erlaubt.
Smoking is not allowed here.
Er kann sich kein neues Auto erlauben.
He can't afford a new car.
Grammar Patterns
((j-m)) ((et4)) to allow sb. sth. The doctor allows the patient a walk.
((j-m)) ((zu+Infinitiv)) to allow sb. to do sth. He allows his daughter to stay up later.
sich ((et3)) ((et4)) to afford sth. I can't afford that.
Similar Words
Synonyms: gestatten, zulassen; Antonym: verbieten
Etymology
From the prefix 'er-' (denoting achievement) and 'lauben' (from Old High German for 'to permit'). Related to the English word 'leave' (as in 'by your leave').
Memory Tips
Think of 'erlauben' as 'earning leave' (Urlaub) to do something, which means getting permission.