Deixar vs. Permitir: Say “Let” or “Allow” in Portuguese — Practice

Use deixar for leaving or letting something happen

Deixar can mean leave something behind or allow someone to do something. The meaning depends on the pattern: deixar a bolsa aqui (leave the bag here) and deixar alguém entrar (let someone come in).

In the permission sense, deixar + person + infinitive is very common in Brazilian conversation. The person after deixar is the one who gets permission, while the next verb names the action.

Use permitir for explicit permission

Permitir means allow or permit and puts the focus on permission or authorization. It is common in rules, formal communication, and everyday speech: o hotel permite animais (the hotel allows pets).

Permitir can take a person or action, often with a direct object or a que-clause. In casual conversation, deixar is often more natural for letting a person do something; permitir sounds explicit and can feel more formal.

Remember: Deixar can mean leave or let someone do something. Permitir focuses on permission or authorization and may sound more formal. Check whether the sentence means leave an object or allow an action.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. I’m going to leave the keys on the table.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Vou deixar as chaves na mesa.

2. My mother lets me drive the car.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Minha mãe me deixa dirigir o carro.

3. You can leave the window open.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode deixar a janela aberta.

4. The rules do not allow smoking here.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O regulamento não permite fumar aqui.

5. The school allows students to use their phones during the break.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A escola permite que os alunos usem o celular no intervalo.

6. May I ask you a question?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você me permite fazer uma pergunta?

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Deixar can mean leave or let someone do something. Permitir focuses on permission or authorization and may sound more formal. Check whether the sentence means leave an object or allow an action.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Deixar vs. Permitir: Say “Let” or “Allow” in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.