....¿me permite?....may I?

Question

In the SD dictionary under ¨permitir¨ I found this:

¿me permite? -> may I?

I'm not sure I understand the ending? Shouldn't it be "¿me permito?"

Using our 3 translator feature, I found this for the third one:

does it allow me? -- PROMPT Translator

So does the use of "permite" have anything to do with the 3rd person singular "it"?

Muchas gracias!

Answer 1

¿Me permites ir al baño?

May I go to the bathroom / Do you permit me to go to the bathroom?

The use of the indirect object can be clearly understood from the literal translation (Do you permit me...)

I assume they used 3rd person singular because the subject is Usted.

"me permito" means "I permit myself"

You've mentioned before I over think to much! :) I think I understand! It's the "do you" part that is either 2nd or third person. Muchas gracias! - bandit51jd, Jul 20, 2012

Answer 2

Hi there, I agree with BradyLabuda, that ¿Me permite...? is the Usted form: literally Do you permit me?

I've occasionally heard someone say 'Con su permiso...' when squeezing politely past a stranger on public transport, where the 'su' implies Usted.

Then there's 'Perdone'.

Thanks for asking this question because it's made me think about what I hear (and say...) and helped me join the dots.

P.S. I briefly thought it was a glorious example of Paralee's W (Wish) subjunctive, as in 1stP.S. 'I Want a Wee-Wee!', but that would have to be '¿Me permita? and would also make no sense whatsoever. ¡Qué lástima! I vote 'Usted'. - Enderby, Jul 20, 2012

Answer 3

Brady and Annie explained it:

¿Me permite ir al baño? (Usted) May I....

¿Me permites ir al baño? (Tú) May I.....

Answer 4

May I = can I? ¿ puedo hacerlo?

Me permite = do you allow me / will you let me? - Usted me permite?

Does that help?

Answer 5

This in another example of the difference between interpretation and translation. "May I" interprets the intent of the phrase, but leads to confusion in understanding the syntax in the two languages, and especially when dealing with reflexive constrctions.

I think Brady's way is the way to go - understand the literal translation for syntax, but interpret it in a more natural manner of English speech.