German word

zulassen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsuːˌlasən/

Meaning

  • verballow

Example

Ich lasse das nicht zu.

I don't allow that.

Illustration for zulassen (allow)

More examples

Manchmal muss man Ausnahmen zulassen.

Sometimes you have to allow exceptions.

Core concept

A gate or process is left open instead of being stopped, so a person, thing, or action can proceed.

Common phrases

  • etwas zulassen

    allow something

  • Ausnahmen zulassen

    allow exceptions

  • Eintritt zulassen

    allow entry

Similar words

lassen: Let another person act without getting involved.
erlauben: Grant official permission for an action.
dulden: Endure an unwelcome situation without preventing it.

Definition in German

Aktiv nicht eingreifen und dadurch etwas erlauben; oft für die Zulassung von Personen, Dingen oder Abläufen; trennbares Verb.

Word origin

Zulassen combines the separable prefix zu- with Germanic lassen, from Old High German lāzan, whose older sense was "let" or "leave".

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, zulassen splits around the object, as in "Ich lasse das nicht zu"; its participle is "zugelassen".

Other meanings

  • tolerateverb
  • let inverb
  • admitverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word