Translation guide
The English verb 'allow' covers permission, enabling, and tolerance. Japanese uses different constructions depending on who is allowing whom, the level of formality, and whether the focus is on giving permission, letting something happen, or making something possible.
Express that someone permits another person to do something.
A casual and very common way to give or ask for permission. Literally 'it's okay if you do ~'. Used in everyday conversation.
Is it okay if I take a picture here?
You can go home now.
More formal than 〜てもいい. Implies 'I don't mind if you do ~'. Often used when granting permission politely.
You may sit down.
Formal verb meaning 'to permit' or 'to authorize'. Used in official contexts, rules, or written documents.
The boss allowed overtime work.
Can mean 'to allow' but often carries a nuance of 'to forgive' or 'to tolerate'. When used for permission, it sounds more like 'to permit something that is usually not allowed'.
My mother didn't allow me to go out late at night.
Express that someone does not prevent another person from doing something, or lets them do as they wish.
Causative form. Means 'to let/make someone do'. When used with あげる/くれる, it emphasizes doing a favor by allowing. Without those, it can imply forcing, so context matters.
I let the kids play in the park.
I allowed him to go wherever he wanted.
Means 'to leave something as it is' or 'to let something be'. Used when you allow a state to continue without interference.
Leave the door open. (Allow it to stay open.)
Formal term meaning 'to leave alone' or 'to let someone do as they please without supervision'. Often used in parenting or management contexts.
Express that a situation, tool, or condition enables an action or state.
Standard way to say 'can do' or 'is able to'. Often used when circumstances permit an action.
This app allows you to make reservations easily.
Formal expression meaning 'to make possible' or 'to enable'. Common in technical or business contexts.
Literally 'give room/leeway for'. Used in abstract contexts like 'allow for interpretation' or 'allow for error'.
Express acceptance of a fact, idea, or situation, often in phrases like 'I'll allow that...' or 'allow me to say'.
Express that you are making provisions or leaving room for something.
〜てもいい focuses on permission ('it's okay if...'), while 〜させる focuses on the act of letting/making someone do something. Use 〜てもいい when asking or granting permission; use 〜させる when describing that you allowed an action to happen.
May I sit here? (permission)
I let her go home first. (action of allowing)
Directly translating 'allow' as 許す often sounds unnatural or overly dramatic. Reserve 許す for forgiveness or tolerating something normally unacceptable. For everyday permission, use 〜てもいい or causative forms.
The teacher allowed me to go to the bathroom. (unnatural)
Those parents allow their children too much freedom.
The new technology allowed remote control.
This rule allows room for interpretation.
We increased stock to allow for rising demand.
The teacher said I could go to the bathroom. (natural)